Davy's on the Road Again

Davy's On The Road Again, Ch. 15

The following story is fiction. Sure, some of it may seem real but that's because it's based upon true events and episodes in the life of your humble narrator. It involves all variations of sex between men and women, between women and women, between men and mem and in all combinations thereof. The story is fiction and is not intended to imply anything about the true sexuality of the celebrities mentioned or any personal knowledge about their private lives. There are lyrics to songs that add not only tribute to the songwriters but add color and atmosphere to the story. Some of the characters are real people whose names have not been changed. They are there to advance the story and expand your imagination. I hope you enjoy the telling and the tale.

I wrote this story several years ago and published it on another site. This version is updated at corrected and in some ways is different from the original story. Send your comments to oldhippie1949@gmail.com.

And remember, Nifty.org needs your donations to keep this site running, http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html. Thank you. --------------------------------------------------

"Somebody needs to know the time glad that I'm here, Watching the skirts you start to flirt, now you're in gear, Go to a show you hope she goes, I've got nothing to say but it's O.K., Good morning good morning, good morning good morning."

"So? Are we ready to tackle Dinosaur National Monument this morning?"

"If you really want to go there, yes. But, to be honest with you, I've hiked the place and I found it to be dreary, especially after some of the places we've seen. I mean, you can go looking for fossils if you want to but I could easily pass. I don't want to be a killjoy bu..."

"I hear you, babe. If it's worth moving on, then let's move on. I saw Jurassic Park and it was juvenile...but I liked the velociraptors."

"Good by me. Here's what you do. Take 40 to Steamboat Springs. Just south of there, we turn north on 36. I'll take you from there."

Route 318 led right into 40 and it was just a little more than an hour to Steamboat Springs, an easy as it gets. The scenery was your basic western backdrop, nothing major but perhaps we were jaded by this point. Amy livened things up as we drove through Steamboat Springs. She put on the Beatles and lit a spliff which was a bit odd as it was still early in the day.

"Hey? It's not noon yet. What gives?

"Just pay attention, your turnoff is coming up soon."

"Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about. Strawberry Fields Forever. Strawberry Fields Forever. Strawberry Fields Forever."

"Aha! So that's where we're going!" I saw the sign in front of me and made my left. It read "Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs - This Way -->."

"You're going to love this place, Davy Harper. It is beaucoup cool."

In a few minutes, we pulled in. Amy went into the office while I walked Santo. She returned with a map to our private massage and pool cabin.

"During the winter, this place is the absolute shit, I swear. But even now, it's mighty fine. We have massages waiting and our own little private natural pool. The place is completely natural mineral springs and the temperature in the water is usually over one hundred degrees."

Our cabin was cute and rustic at the same time. Our massage therapist was waiting for us. She suggested that we shower off first and then spend ten minutes in the spring. The place was very beautiful and it was like swimming in a very hot but calm tub. Santo sat on the side and sniffed the pool but wouldn't venture in. The rocky terrain and the greenery made for a very serene environment. After a little while, we were waved out and laid out on massage tables to relax until our rubdowns began. The sound of the birds combined with the hot water made me a bit woozy. I think I fell asleep during the massage. By the time the experience was over, I was feeling very lethargic. I couldn't figure whether I was like a lox or like jelly. Either way, I was plenty mellow.

We slowly trudged back into Big Chocolate and had some lunch: Tuna Sandwiches with melted cheese on grilled rye and potato chips. Tasty! I rolled back onto the road slowly. Down 131, then east at McCoy to east on 70 at Gypsum to Glenwood Springs and south on 82, then straight into Aspen. Again, nothing to it. I felt like Daniel Fucking Boone. The land seemed more serene here. Even the canyons and rivers seemed more benign. The Colorado Rockies, with their far off snow caps, seemed to me to feel hospitable. As we came down 82 approaching Woody Creek, Amy pointed to the turn off and we were parking in front of her grand house a few minutes later.

"Let's just go in and check things out. We'll unpack later," she said as she bounced out of the bus. Santo followed at her heels and ran in merry circles. He seemed to be aware that our journey was over, at least for a while, and he was loving up the wide open space. Amy's caretaker pulled up in his Ford 150 right behind us.

"Ms. Bieler, the house is open and all clean. I put the air conditioner on because it's been hot these past few weeks. They cleaned the pool and the tub. I didn't know if you wanted the whole house opened but I did it anyway, just in case. Is there anything else I can do for you, ma'am?"

"Clarence, could you take a look at my cabin up on the mountain for me? Just to make sure everything is good up there? And please, give me your bill right away so I can pay you, will you?"

"Sure, ma'am. My pleasure. Is it okay if I go up there tomorrow? I promised I tend to some chores today."

"Sure, Clarence. Thank you for taking care of this, you're a dear. And please, say hello to Rosemary for me."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

Amy's house was a welcoming place. She took me by the hand and led me to the rear deck. I sat down to take in the view and she returned with a bottle of Moet and two glasses.

"Here's to us...no one better!" Clink.

"Yup, that's us...finest kind!" (My bonacker accent!)

She stripped down and stretched out on a lounge soaking up the rays. I called Stevie. "Stevie! The eagles have landed! Yup, we're at Amy's sipping champagne....No, I haven't fired one up yet, I'm waiting for you...Oh yeah? Cool...Great! See you guys soon."

"They'll be here in a couple of hours. Stevie says everything is great and he has some good news for you. He says not to cook because he and Sal are bringing dinner."

"Mmmph," mumbled Amy, who seemed nearly asleep. We were both still pretty lazy from our massages. I went and got some sunblock and oiled her down. She lay with a sweet smile as I applied the lotion all over her, no curve missed. I let her sleep while I went out to Big Chocolate and began to bring in bags. After I unloaded a bunch of things, I returned to the deck with my laptop. Amy had rolled over onto her stomach so I applied lotion to the rest of her, enjoying the curves I missed before.

I turned on the laptop and the wi-fi was iffy so I hooked it into the house cable. I first went to check my email. My daughter, Emma, wrote that she and Jack and the kids would love to come out for a couple of weeks or as long as we would have them. She also said that my other daughter, Carla, was off somewhere in Japan writing an article and wouldn't be back for a couple of months. I was glad for her but a little sad that I wouldn't get to see her. She and I haven't been on good terms for several years now and, while she is very difficult, I was hoping to mend fences. Oh, well, that will have to wait.

Danny's email told me that some of the masters were waiting for me at the post office and that Shadow had received copies as well. He also said that some of the earlier masters were in sad shape so he sent them to be baked in New Jersey and would ship them out when completed. He added that he took care of the special package I had requested from my old friend, Sam, who had a place in the Diamond District. It had been overnighted, insured, special courier delivered and was waiting at the post office. Good. He said that everything was well financially and that I should call when we'd settled in. I looked at the clock in the toolbar and it was still early afternoon.

"Amy, hon? How far is it to the post office? I want to pick up the masters."

"I pick up my mail at the Woody Creek Post Office on Upper River Road. It's not far at all. If a tall blond, Sue, is there, ask her for help and tell her I say "Hi!" Let me give you my post office box key, too, so you can pick up my mail....and take my car. It's in the garage. Here, let me get you the keys and some directions." It was a treat to watch my naked girl walk around.

I headed down the road in her Jag. It was a real difference driving this after driving Big Chocolate. Too bad it was such a short ride. There was a lot to pick up at the post office. Besides a ton and a half of mail for Amy (mostly catalogs), there were a lot of packages for both of us. Still, in a short time, I was heading back to the house. I was behind Stevie and Sally and I pulled in next to them as they entered the house ahead of me. I also noted that Amy was dressed in a string top and daisy dukes (what a sweet ass!) as she welcomed them. It took me a couple of trips to bring everything in. Lots of hugs and kisses greeted me and it was good to see them. Kind of felt like home.

"Oh, Lord, look at all that crap. It'll take me a month to get through all this. And look at all those packages. There's something in there for you, Sal."

"Oh, yeah! And I have something for you, Stevie, in the bus. Let me get it."

"No, wait. How 'bout a champagne toast first?"

"No, hold on to that for a few minutes, I have my reasons."

"Okay then, toke this. I just got it and it's excellent."

Stevie was right. It was. Amy was going through the packages to find Sal's gift so I took the opportunity to go out to the bus. I brought back several boxes.

Amy had found the one and presented Sally with a silver necklace with emeralds and rubies she had shipped from San Francisco. I pulled out my gift for Stevie.

"Stevie, what do you think of this?" I handed him the picture I bought from Lenny's daughter, Lena, in Santa Cruz.

"How fucking super is this? Look, Sally, Lenny drew this more than forty years go. It's Davy - here, Lenny, Lizbeth and me. I love it! Thanks, man, this is great. This is too much. I think I'm gonna cry! Man, this really brings me back."

"I got the other one...it's similar...for myself. It's hanging on the wall in Big Chocolate." I knew he would love it. "Lenny and Lisbeth's memory and their legacy are like felt all around Santa Cruz. Their daughter, Lena, is a miniature Lizbeth. It's a beautiful thing. Oh, and hey, here's a Lenny Baseball Cap and a Lenny Mug."

"Fucking A. Check this out! Listen, dude, speaking of Big Chocolate - that is some ride! You've got to give me a tour later."

"Sure...and I have to play you the song about it that Ed Begley and Mark O'Flannery wrote. It's great. And I need you to help finish a song, too. But we have plenty of time. Let me check out these packages. My masters are here."

Amy and Sally were now babbling in the kitchen. "Ready for that champagne toast now?" asked Stevie.

"Gimme another minute, okay?"

I opened the packages with the masters. There were a bunch of cd dupes and a note from Danny. The note said that the only older masters he had sent were from the "Greatest Hits" package and they would have to be remixed and remastered after the butcher job done on them by Warner's reissue department. At the time, I wanted Rhino to do a remastered box but Warner's held on to them instead and ended up releasing a schlock job. Danny's note read that the others were all in lousy condition and had to be baked before being restored. Danny said he'd ship them to Shadow as soon as the job was complete. The other masters were of some stuff released to the end of my Warner's contract. There were also other things, like a DVD of Sebastian's Berkeley concert (Danny noted that it was excellent) and all the session logs.

Then there was the overnighted package. "I'll be right back. You can prepare the champagne now."

I took the package into the bathroom and locked the door. I examined it and was happy that Sam followed my instructions and had produced exactly what I had asked for. I returned to the living room as Stevie was pouring the bubbly and calling the girls to come in.

He cleared his throat. "I would like to propose a -"

"Excuse me, Stevie. I'd like to say something first, if I may." I walked over to Amy and got down on one knee. "Amy, you are my friend, my lover and my partner. I love you constantly. You are a blessing to me. Amy, will you marry me?" I handed her the blue velvet box. Her eyes bugged out as she opened it. Inside was a perfectly clear four-caret diamond. It was an antique diamond that had been in my family for over one hundred and fifty years. It was set in an elegant silver and platinum setting and it sparkled. "I really do love you, you know. You've made me so complete and I want to make it permanent. What do you say?"

Amy was nearly speechless. This was a real surprise. Tears rolled down her eyes and she looked at Sally who was also tearing up. "Of course, I will marry you, Davy Harper. Why not? It's much easier for us to market one name!" I got up, placed the ring on her finger and kissed her ruby lips.

"This is good, you old rascal. When is the big day?" Stevie passed the bubbly around.

Amy piped up, "Tomorrow? At town hall? We can throw a little party, Maybe at one of the restaurants...Oh, I can't want to tell everybody. I have to call Deb right now. I have to call Callie. I have to call Linda..." She ran off to get her phone.

"Congratulations, Davy. What a surprise! How wonderful." The doorbell rang It was a florist delivering flowers sent by Danny. The card read. "All our love and luck to the perfect couple. Danny and Kathy." That Danny! Impeccable timing!

I could hear Amy on the phone with Deb and she was laughing. Stevie and Sally came over to me. "So? What made you want to get married?"

"It was a smart move. It was the right move. Amy and I are so perfectly right for each other, it seems like the obvious move. We love each other...we have a lot of fun together...we have sublime sex...we just fit right, you know?...We like to be together...We are creative together...Her business sense is on the money whereas mine...well, you know all about that. Anyway, I'd rather we be Harpers and be happy. It makes a whole lot of sense to me. It feels right. And, I'm in love with her and she with me."

"I think she's thrilled, too, Davy. Mazol Tov to both of you. I'm so glad we introduced you two to each other. It was a mitzvah. So what's next?"

"I have a whole list of things to do and a lot of them with you guys. I also think we should have another little concert at The Tavern to show off some new songs, what do you think? There's a Denver concert with Los Lobos in a couple of weeks...you'll come with us...and maybe my daughter and her family...we'll take the bus. Speaking of which, want a tour?"

I took them out to the bus and gave them the Grand Tour. Like everyone else, they couldn't believe all the features. While I was there, I uploaded the latest report to Tesla. But they were all over the bus, checking out this and that. They even tried out the beds which received their approval. They couldn't believe the bathroom and the tub. Stevie loved the recliner and the big TVs. I walked them outside and showed them the rooftop terrace, the amp, the hot tub, the whole thing. Stevie suggested that we take an overnight on the bus and while I was amenable, I knew that it wasn't in the near future. For the moment, I'd had quite enough of the road for a while.

Stevie helped me bring more stuff into the house. I showed him the peace pipe that Mark and Deb gave us and I placed it on the mantle over the fireplace in the living room. It looked good there. Amy was still on the phone, this time with Callie in Palm Springs. After a few minutes, she joined us in the living room.

"There are a whole bunch of people who want us to a) have a big party, b) wait for them to join us at the ceremony and c) join us on our honeymoon. I didn't know what to tell them."

"Where would you like to go on our honeymoon, honey?"

"Oooh, I haven't thought about that! The Maldives...Europe...I don't really care...anywhere with you, even the master bedroom is good!"

"I like the bedroom idea," said Stevie.

"Sorry, sweetie. That will have to wait for a few days. I'm spotting these days," said Sal.

"Shucks!"

The phone rang again. It was Susan at Tesla. Amy filled her in on our engagement and they talked for a while. When she got off, she filled me in.

"Susan says they got the module report. Elon told her that they have some module updates and some tweaks to perform. She said that they're looking into a place around here where they can do the work and she'll call back in a little while. Meanwhile, I'm going to send out some emails with the big news. And, by the way, those flowers that Danny and Kathy sent are gorgeous. Let me put them in a vase."

Stevie and Sally sat outside in the back watching Santo run around. We talked about the trip and about all the music plans. They loved the story about the negotiations at Warner's. They told me about the success of the restaurants and the country club. They'd brought reports for Amy to look over. All were turning a nice profit even in this lousy economy. Amy joined us in time to hear about that and promised to look over the reports later.

"I'm thinking about adding some new facilities to the country club...some very luxury additions."

"Like what?"

"Oh, like maybe a Sybian!"

"Great, baby. You just keep thinking!"

The phone rang again. It was Laura. She just got Amy's email and she was very happy for us. She suggested that perhaps she could fly in next week for a couple of days to update her story and do some follow up. The phone rang again. This time it was Susan again. They found a shop in Aspen that had the room to handle the bus. She asked if she might fly out for a couple of days to oversee the mods and I immediately said yes.

"So next week, we have both Laura from Vanity Fair and Susan from Tesla coming in for a few days. There's going to be a whole lot of estrogen in this house! I may need your help, Stevie."

"What do I look like?" Sally commented.

"Yes, I think there will be enough cootch to go around...sort of Pussy Galore. And Susan is some new stuff, too," added Amy.

"And after they leave, I want Emma and Jack and the kids to fly in. We'll all go to Denver together. It will be nice and you'll love them, babe."

The phone rang again. It was Linda congratulating us. When she mentioned that it was Ronstadt, Stevie and Sally's eyebrows lifted. The phone rang again. It was Deb again. After a few minutes, Amy passed the phone to me. Both Deb and Mark were crazy happy for us. Mark said that New Orleans was good but that we should wait until they flew to Aspen for us to get married. In fact, they demanded it!

"So, A, let's get married when everyone is here next week. That good with you?"

"That's perfect, Davy. Where should we do it? At the country club or at one of the restaurants?"

"I'll leave that to you..."

"And Sally!" Sally quipped.

"It's a deal, pal. More champagne. Where's that joint?" Amy and Sally high-fived. Santo, who could feel the vibe, happily panted under her feet.

After about an hour of stories, pictures, champagne, smoke and excitement, it all caught up with me and I fell asleep on the chaise. I must have been out for a couple of hours when Amy woke me with a kiss. "Come in for dinner, my love...my fiancé."

I ambled into the kitchen and the aroma was wonderful. "It's a new dish we're serving at the hotel, I hope you like it. Stevie and I worked on this with the staff for a few weeks. But we really can't take credit for it, it was really a terrific example of group effort," explained Sally.

"So what is it? It smells great."

"What it is...is my Grandma's Chicken Fricasee...look, vegetables, chicken soup gravy...even little meatballs, And...are you ready?...on the side, we have her homemade kishka, also known as Stuffed Derma...and...a bissel Noodle Pudding...just a bissel, a fore-shpice, if you will. Straight from Bensenhurst, an old Goldfarb family recipe! It took me more than forty years to get it right!" Stevie bowed as we applauded.

Let me tell you, it was just this side of phenomenal. I haven't tasted Jewish cooking like that in I can't remember how many years.

"Here, take a piece of challah to zop it up with."

We ate like we'd never eaten before. I swear. He told us that he put it on the menu over a month ago and it's the biggest selling dish. On the weekend, they go through two dozen challahs and they can't bake them fast enough. I could see why. When we cleaned the plates - and I mean, we cleaned the plates, we all sat back and rubbed our bellies.

"Stevie, we've eaten some of the best food on our trip, but this beats them all," said Amy. "I can't move I'm so stuffed!"

"Well, wait until you taste my brisket. It melts in your mouth."

For the rest of the night, I felt like a huge matzoh ball. But I felt good. We all felt good as we sat around belching. Amy and I entertained them with stories and pictures of our trip. Sally was ready to make a reservation at the spa in Palm Springs right then and there. They told us how they kept track of us through YouTube and how cool the music was. We watched the DVD of Sebastian's Berkeley show and Danny was right, it was fun. The video was just so-so but John had mixed the audio in perfectly.

Amy was busy chattering away on the phone most of the time as it never stopped ringing. At one point, my daughter, Emma, called and I told her the good news. She said that she would call Danny to make plans to fly out with Jack and the kids in about a week. After she hung up, Danny called to wish us well. He said that he was at his beach house in Amagansett while Kathy was with her daughter, who had just given birth. He said that they would fly out for the wedding, too. He also said that he'd just spoken to Shadow and he also wants to fly in. I was surprised that the news had excited everyone. Hell, I thought it was kind of a private matter between Amy and me but I guess people want to celebrate and a wedding is a perfect excuse.

"Davy, we're going to have one hell of a bash, I think. We'll put up Emma and her brood here...and Laura...and Susan, too. And Mark and Deb...that's a full house. Maybe we'll hire some help for that week. But tomorrow, I'm going to have to reserve a bunch of rooms at the hotel and the country club...it's good thing it's not ski season. Both Deb and Linda told me that there's a whole crowd from L.A. wants to come and that the news had traveled fast." At one point, Sally was fielding calls on the land line while Amy and I were on our cells. Stuttering, she interrupted us to tell us that we had a call. "A-A-Amy...you have a call from G-G-George and Sarah."

While Amy squealed on the phone, she asked if that was really George Clooney on the phone and I told her it was. "Davy, this is going to be one of the biggest celebrity parties Aspen has ever seen! We should use the country club and the Inn. This is going to be a hoot!...Stevie, you better start baking challahs!"

"We can add George and Sarah," said Amy. "They're flying in between his filming dates. This is going to be something else. I better start making a list. Tomorrow, I'll do the rooms...and I'll call Rabbi Mintz at the Chabad to see if he's free to perform the ceremony on Saturday night, if that's okay with you. Sally, we have to work out the menu. The only thing we don't have to concern ourselves with is the music! Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Indeed, that brought laughs.

"We can use our Woody Creek band as the house band," I said. "They can back up anyone. And here, I thought we'd have a little wedding ceremony and a dinner for just a few of us...well, so much for that!"

The night went on like this for a while until we were collapsing. Stevie and Sally bid us a good night and said they'd call in the morning. Amy and I crawled into bed.

"Davy and Amy Harper. I like the sound of that! I'm so happy I can't tell you, Davy. I've been dreaming of this for the past few weeks...that you would propose to me. I only wish my folks were alive to see this. Oh, I wish a lot of things but we're going to make them all come true. I love you, Davy."

We drifted off to sleep nuzzling each other and whispering to each other. Everything seemed so right. Even Santo, jumping on the corner of the bed, seemed to understand. Before he curled up, he moved up to us and licked us. One big happy family. I kind of liked the sound of that, too.

In the morning, the phone started ringing where it had left off the night before. By the time I had my second cup, I'd spoken to Shadow, to Buffett, to Mark again, to Ma (who unfortunately wouldn't be able to attend), to Meg (who called from Palm Springs after Callie told her the news), to Graham (who said that they had almost a whole planeload already), to Chris, even Dylan called. Stevie and Sally shared the news with us and they couldn't believe it when I took Bob's call. Ed called and said that he was coming, too, and that he was trying to get in touch with Elon. That reminded me of his song and I sang it for him. Needless to say, he was ecstatic.

"Hey Mark, I need a pair of normal wheels. Is there a place around here I can buy a car?"

"There's a Chrysler place, and a VW place nearby. There's also a few places up near Glenwood Springs. Want to take a ride?"

So we took off car shopping while Amy, Sally and Santo went into town. Mark and I looked at about a dozen car lots until I found one that would fit the bill, a Ford Escape Limited, all tricked out and in steel gray, although I waffled a while over a Lexus 570. I figured that I needed a car to carry stuff as well as people around, especially in the next couple of weeks. It wasn't cheap - it cost about as much as a fucking Caddy Escalade but it had a lot of cool high-tech features plus I have this thing about helping American business. It was plenty plush enough and it would do the job. We had Amy's Jag to go out on the town, Big Chocolate as an extra bedroom or for big crowds and long trips and now an SUV for heavy lifting. This would work. Also, I figured that when Elon's sedan came out, we'd get rid of the Jag or add it to our stable. I called Danny first and he told me just to hand them my black plastic card and before you know it, I was following Stevie back to Aspen.

Back at the house, there was no one home so we rolled up a fatty and I took out my Martin and played Stevie some of my new songs on the deck. Fortunately, he had his autoharp in his trunk and we had a fine old time.

"I had this dream a couple of weeks back, Davy. In it, you were singing a real old tune you wrote called "Baby Broke My Heart." You remember that song? I think you introduced it one night at Max's Kansas City...at least in my dream you did."

"Yeah...vaguely. I remember Micky Katz better though. He always took nice care of us. He was a good guy. But the song? It's been out of my mind for many years..."

"Wanna do it?"

"No, Stevie, that song was a stone cold bummer, a real bring-down. I don't think I ever want to sing that song again. Sorry."

"Okay, I understand. It is</> pretty heavy...Also, in that dream, we were singing folk songs like we used to do in the beginning only we were at the old Lone Star...the one with the lizard on the roof...and we were a little drunk. You were singing "Wanderin' with Tom Rush."

"Now that's a beauty. Let's do that."

"I've been a-wanderin', early and late, >From New York City to the Golden Gate, And it looks like I ain't never gonna cease my wanderin'.

Well, my daddy was an engineer, And my brother drives a hack, My sister takes in laundry, While the baby balls the jack, And it looks like I ain't never gonna cease my wanderin'."

"Man, that song sure is pretty."

"yup, it is." I went over some of my new songs and then, looking through my journal, I came across some unfinished bits and pieces. While Stevie lit up a big roach, I suggested that maybe we could finish them or at least, flesh them out.

"Here's a line I had somewhere on the road, Stevie. "Don't matter where we go or where we roam...I'm with you and that feels like home."

"How 'bout: "The road is long, no destination in sight, and it doesn't matter we go or where we roam, we're at a place in time and it's all right, I'm with you and that feels like home."

"Ooh, Stevenson, I like that. Say it again."

He repeated it a few times and it began to develop. I started to write my thoughts down.

"Riding over dirt like the grounds in my cup, Hills turn into mountains and fields into sand, The sky is forever and the mileage builds up, We move ever forward as we eat up the land.

We move ever forward, can't recall where we've been, But it doesn't matter because what's done is done, It's been so long since I can't remember when, I was living in one place and having no fun.

Can't know when these things end, But I know one thing for sure.

The road is long, no destination in sight, And it doesn't matter we go or where we roam, We're at a place in time and it's all right, I'm with you and that feels like home."

"Hmmm. I don't know, Davy. there's something not right about it...it doesn't scan...I don't know."

I fiddled around on the guitar for a few minutes and Stevie was right, I couldn't roll with it. I put it away to show Amy later and I pulled out another one. "Okay, what about this?"

"She said that sometimes she wonders, Just what she was put here for, Like just another tiny little grain of sand, Or just another shell upon the shore.

I told her that life plays funny tricks, And you never really know when, One day it's all roses and some days it ain't, It happens every now and then, It happens with everyone, all the women, all the men Maybe it's karma or maybe it's zen, But it will never come around like this again And you never really know, What's lurking around the bend.

She said that sometimes she looks up, At the clouds in the sky, And she wonders why she stands there, When all she wants to do is fly.

I told her that life is sometimes like that, You play it as it lays, Just ante up, deal out the cards And fold, call or raise, If you're feeling good or you're trapped in malaise, And cannot find direction through the murky haze, Sometimes it's like that, you know, 'just one of those days', It's like 'sometimes the bear bites you', To turn a phrase."

"Waddya think of that?"

"You know, Davy, I don't ever know where you come up with this shit. How does your mind work? I like some of that but I don't sense an overall tone. I don't know...maybe if I heard you sing it. Still, it seems kind of bleak to me and I don't hear a hook."

"Yeah, you're right. I don't get that sense either. It's not telling me a story. You know, I don't think I like it. Maybe I'll show that to Amy, too. I was thinking of showing it to Dylan but now, I don't think so."

"Here, man. Toke up and let it be for now. You have to get your head into this space for a while and take your head off the road. Kick back...smooth out."

"Good advice, my brother, good advice. Another piece of good advice is not to write songs that try to make sense when you're stoned. You read it later and it's shit. Every time. Always happens that way. But I saved the best for last. What do you think of this?" I sang him The Ballad of Lenny and Lizbeth.

"Now that's cool. I like that. But I'd still like to see you rhyme 'Lizbeth'!"

"Hmmm....Lizbeth...crystal meth...death...breath...can be done!..."Lenny and Lizbeth, Lenny and Lizbeth, Lenny and Lizbeth, Take a deep breath and Remember Lenny and Lizbeth....See?"

"I'm not impressed."

I heard the girls enter the house. After putting their bags down, they came outside to join us. "Where's that joint, you stoners!"

"I like the wheels, Davy. It looks like a good all-purpose vehicle and we need one."

"It has all kinds of goofy options in it. I brought the manual in so we can learn what it does."

"Later, maybe...but now..." Amy peeled off her clothes and raced to the pool where she made a clean dive with minimal splash. "Just what I needed! Come on in!"

The three of us stripped down in a flash and joined her as Santo laughed at us. The water felt great as we swam around and splashed each other. We even got Santo in for a dip. Soon, we were all floating on our backs and gazing at the cloudless sky in our stony haze. Time seemed to slow down, too.

Amy swam up behind me and began to kiss my neck and my shoulders. Sally started to laugh as my dick popped up. She came over and grabbed it. "Look, it comes with a joystick? Can I steer?" she asked.

"You steer and I'll navigate," said Stevie as he reached around Amy and tweaked her erect nipples. I heard her joyful sigh as Sal pumped my cock. We were in the shallow end and I felt her pull my legs apart. Her hands caressed my butt cheeks and her lips engulfed me. Her sucking was having an effect on me. Combined with the weightless feeling, I was enjoying this immensely. I placed my hands on the coping and let her give me one of her famous blow jobs. Looking over at Amy and Stevie, I could see they were enjoying themselves, too. Backed against the pool's wall, Amy's legs were wrapped around Stevie's hips as he pumped into her. Her hand grasped mine.

"Sally, you sure can suck. You're going to make me cum if you keep that up."

"That's the general idea, Davy." Sure enough, I felt it boiling up. Her hands pushed my ass further into her mouth and I could feel the head tickle the back of her throat. I felt some pre-cum dribble out.

"Oh, yeah, Sally....yeah, that's good...ah, ah, ah...here it comes, Sally..." She grasped my cheeks tightly as I erupted down her throat. My cum just wouldn't stop. Finally, she pulled off me and my body sank down into the water. My dick was vibrating and pulsing but my body was limp. She moved closer to me and wrapped her arms around me, leaning in to kiss me. I tasted myself as she tongued me.

Stevie was nearing his orgasm, too. "Oh, Amy, I love it when you squeeze it. Yeah." He was humping her now and the water was splashing around them. Amy was biting his neck and he was moaning. Suddenly, he arched his back and as little noises escaped his mouth, he was shooting his jizz into her, pushing into her as deeply as he could.

As soon as they disentangled, Amy pulled herself up and sat with her legs spread wide and far apart. "Now eat me, Stevie. Tongue my pussy. Eat me!"

"Good idea." Sally clambered up onto the side and pulled my face into her strawberry blond pubes. I snaked my tongue over her slit and circled her clit. Pulling her closer to the edge, I licked her cunt and tasted her juices as they began to flow. She and Amy were right next to each other by the side, their arms locked straight holding them up. They looked at each other and started to kiss. Stevie and I were busy licking and sucking on these delicious clams. Every time I moved up to Sally's clit, I felt her jump a bit. I wasn't ready to make her cum yet - I know she likes to be eaten - so I moved back down into her canal. I continued to do this until I heard Amy's deep and guttural moan. At that point, I began to circle and nibble Sal's large clit in earnest and it swelled up. Her large fleshy cunt lips were now oozing fluid onto my cheeks and she was getting close. Stevie's hand was rubbing my ass and I felt his finger around my pucker. I buried my face into Sally as she began to moan. My tongue rammed her puss while my nose flicked her clit. Amy was now in the throes of cumming and she started to squirt onto Stevie's face. Sally was softly whimpering as her orgasm came on. Both women were rocking their cunts now and pushing into us. I felt Sally's juice turn more viscous and thick. Yes, this was the way I always remembered her orgasm, thick and juicy with a musky fragrance. "Enough!" she said, pushing my head away and she collapsed onto her back. Amy was already laying there flat.

Stevie and I looked at each other and smiled. I grabbed his head and pushed him down, dunking him. He came up out of the water and grabbed me as we began to wrestle each other. "Boys!" I heard Sally say in mock disgust.

Later, after dining on the rest of Stevie's Fricasee, we all lay together on the carpeted floor of the living room. Santo was very happy with so many hands scratching him. He rolled around on his back reveling in it. The phone rang several times but we ignored it, we were all just enjoying the feeling of being together again.

I called my sisters to give them the news. Frannie, who lives in London, had a maessage on her answering machine saying that she was traveling the continent on a writing assignment. She suggested email as a way to contact her. Janey and Ian also weren't home so I left a messsage.

That night, as Amy and I cuddled asleep, I awoke around four. I heard Santo snoring at the foot of our big bed and let my thoughts run though my skull. I got up to take a leak and then walked down to the kitchen. I got my pad and my #2 pencil and wrote down this song.

"Domesticity is a place I'd like to live I have visited there before I liked the decor It's a space that I find attractive And if I had the chance again It's a place I'd like to explore.

Peace of mind is a very worthy goal It doesn't take much work Not like a job you'd rather shirk It brings a lot of comfort to your soul It relieves a world of pain It's better than going berserk.

A happy home with my love at my side My dog at my feet and I'll abide The good Lord willing shall provide And they'll say I was smiling when I died.

Domesticity is a roof above my head With a sturdy wooden floor And a solid wooden door And a table with fresh baked bread Made with ten different types of grain Wouldn't want for nothing anymore."

A happy home with my love at my side My dog at my feet and I'll abide The good Lord willing shall provide And they'll say I was smiling when I died. Yes, he was grinning like a fool when he died.

I read it over and smiled. Leaving it on the counter, I padded back to bed and quickly fell back asleep.

I was dreaming of lips on my dick, slowly sucking it in and then sliding back up...wet lips around it...a tongue licking the helmet and then licking along the vein. It was a good dream. I stirred and started to roll to the side when I felt soft hands roll me back. It wasn't a dream after all. I opened my eyes to see Amy in my crotch, looking up at me. I smiled.

"You left this verse out of your song, darling," she whispered in that soft voice so filled with passion and went back to sucking me.

"I think that's another song." I closed my eyes and felt my cock tingle as she sucked on the head and flicked my piss hole. Oh, this is how a man should always awaken.

"I love that song and I love you." She deep throated me. Her nose tickled my pubes. I just lay there smiling.

"Are you hungry for breakfast? Here's your first course...it's better than coffee." She repositioned herself so she could slowly lower her pussy over my face. She descended slowly so I could take in her musk. She slid herself down my nose and onto my lips. Then she leaned down and took me back into her mouth. I lapped at her and made sounds as if I was speaking. She responded by doing the same. I placed my palms over her compact butt and got serious. He were into our favorite rhythm, a graceful pas de deux. I rubbed my palms around her as she dripped into me. We went at this for a while until we were both getting close. She repositioned herself again and impaled herself on my hardness. She leaned in and kissed me.

"I taste so good, don't I? I do. I know I do. I've tasted me."

I pushed my hips up so she could boogie on me. We were rocking hard and now pumping like a V-8 piston. Her juices were flowing all over me. We were moving fast and it was getting divinely sloppy. I couldn't take it anymore and I began to jerk my cum straight up her love canal. She leaned back, arching and writhing. Her fingers moved over her clit and she was rockin' steady. Finally, with a growl and moan, she peaked and collapsed onto me.

"Oh, that was good. Now come with me." She pulled me from the bed and opened the french doors out to the pool. She pulled me to the edge and jumped in.

"What are you waiting for?"

"First things first." I turned toward the lawn and proceeded to empty my bladder followed my a deep sigh. I shook my dick, turned to her and jumped in. We swam around playing grabsies and with lots of horseplay and laughter. Suddenly she jumped out and ran into the bedroom. Returning a moment later with towels, she waved me out.

"Here. Dry off. I want to show you something." She led me back into the house and toward the wing that she'd kept closed up as it was an area she never used. I hadn't been in this part of the house before as she led me past several large bedroom suites toward a large room at the end of the hall. It was another den. This one contained a pool table, lots of shelving, a bar, some couches and an entertainment center. There were large french doors opening out to the pool and back deck as well as another pair of large french doors leading to the front of the house. The cathedral ceiling had large skylights and the room was filled with light.

"I have never used this area since Roy died. This fucking house was just too big for me. I've kept it closed but Clarence and Rose cleaned it up for us. What do you think about putting the pool table and the furniture in the hotel and turning this into a music room and a recording studio? If this is no good, there is always the basement which is huge....but I like the airiness of this room and I'd like to see it come alive."

"Wow! What an idea! How cool!"

"There's a real nice recording studio in town, Great Divide. Maybe they can help you design and equip it. You should talk to Jamie, the owner, who is an old friend of mine"

"Gee. This is a lot to take in before my coffee. It's an amazing idea, though. Maybe Stevie and I will head over there today. Let me dream a little about this."

"No, don't dream. Do it. I want to start recording these songs. And, you know, it's our house now and it's a very, very fine house."

"Tell that to Graham...Okay, okay. And speaking of this very fine house, I was day dreaming yesterday about it. What about building a small caretaker's house near the entrance by the road, you know, a place where a caretaker and his wife, the housekeeper and maybe even cook could live (perhaps Clarence and Rosemary). It would also beef up security. Think about it. But let's have some coffee first, okay?"

We padded back into the kitchen and poured our cups of caffeine. Amy read "Domesticity" out loud and was finding a melody. I called Stevie and told him that I needed him to come over as soon as he could. As soon as I got off, the phone rang. It was Graham.

"Davy, congratulations again. When's the big day?"

I asked Amy and she said it would be in a week and a half on Saturday night.

"I'm coming and I'll be there with a bunch of buddies. Is there a hotel you suggest?"

"Don't worry about that, Graham, we have rooms for everyone. It'll be a fun party."

"Brilliant! But listen, I sent you an itinerary and musician list for the Breadbasket Tour. I cleared it with Danny and it looks good to him. I sent you an email. Please call me back after you've checked it out, will you?"

"Sure thing, Graham. I'll download it now and we'll talk later. I want to see about installing a studio here in the house and I have a few other chores but I promise, we'll talk later."

I walked into Amy's office off the bedroom and booted up the iMac. In a few minutes, I returned with an Excel spreadsheet and some pages of notes. While we sipped our coffee, we went over it.

"Thirteen cities in two and a half months, that ain't bad. Let's see...the tour starts in Boston, then New York for two nights, then Washington...look at this! Washington is outdoors on the Mall, a full day with some acts in other cities and the whole thing is being televised on NBC as a phone-in drive, the President will speak...wow!...then a few days off, then Atlanta, Miami...a few more days off...New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver...a week off. Well I guess we'll be here...ummm...Seattle, San Francisco and L.A, couldn't book into Texas....no, I have it backwards. It ends in Boston. That will leave us near Jimmy's gig in Montauk...excellent! The core acts are Crosby, Nash, Jackson, Me, Mark and check this out, Bruce joins us in New York and L.A., also Billy Joel, Public Enemy and Lady GaGa...also Stills and Young join up in a few cities...Dylan in Washington, Chicago, Minneapolis and L.A...in New Orleans and St. Louis, Allan Toussaint with Elvis Costello, Irma Thomas and Dr. John, The Nevilles, a cajun/zydeco revue with Buckwheat Zydeco and Terrance Simien...other acts committed are Los Lobos, Pearl Jam, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kenny Chesney, The National, Robert Randolph, The Black Keys, Linda Ronstadt, John Fogarty, Etta James, Solomon Burke, Marcia Ball...Jesus! House bands include Hillman, Van Dyke, Gadd, Cooder, Lukather, Will Lee, Anton Fig, Sid McGuiness...Paul Shaffer is the band leader...also The Meters, The New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Wynton Marsalis...Holy Shit! I like how he adds 'and Special Friends.' LiveNation will handle everything - venues, hotels, transportation. Well, we'll see about that! Those guys are fucking greedheads. I'll talk to Danny...Sponsors include Apple, Ford and Comcast Universal with regional tie-ins. It looks like our summer is booked, baby."

"This is insane, Davy! How is this ever going to make money?"

"Well, it says here that everything, or about 65% of everything, will end up in the local Food Pantries. All acts do four or five songs...payment to be discussed. The money is being overseen by the not-for-profit run by David Geffen, Danny, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Fucking wow!

Stevie walked in at that point and leaned over me to see what I was reading. His mouth hung open.

"You're going to have to free up, pal, since you're a member of my band."

No response.

"Look, he's speechless, Davy! A first!"

"Homina, homina, homina...I am. I'm speechless. I better get a new autoharp. Wait 'til Sal hears about this! She said to tell you that she'll be over in a little while. She had to go over to the hotel to tend to some bills. Wait until she hears about this! So this is why you called?"

"No. I just got this from Graham Nash. I have another project for you. Come, let me show you."

I led him toward the big den telling him about Amy's idea. He thought it was a great idea. I told him that Amy suggested we visit Jamie today to get things rolling.

"Sure. Good idea. Jamie is a regular customer. I know him well. You know, if I recall correctly, he tried to wangle a date with Amy way back when but she wouldn't bite. He's a good guy, you'll get along fine. Let's go soon though because I have shit to do at the restaurants later.

"Okay. Let's go now. I have to get dressed. I can't be walking around town with my wang hanging." As we walked back to the kitchen, my phone rang.

"Hey David! Sure I'll be there...yup, Amy and I are tying the knot a week before your gig in Denver...Wanna come? It's going to be one hell of a scene...aw, too bad...Yeah, it's cool with me if you're recording...video, too? For PBS? Cool...You did? I'll download it now...Yeah, I just read Graham's email. This shit is sick, man...You'll be hooking up with the tour in Chicago, Minneapolis and L.A.!...cool. Yeah, I'll listen to it now and call you later."

Amy looked up from the itinerary notes. "That was David Hidalgo. He just sent me a couple of mp3s he wants me to hear. Stevie and I are going to take the Jag so you can try out the Escape. You know it has automatic parallel parking, video monitors and the Sync Media system, right?"

"Yes, dear. I saw the commercials, too. Sally is on her way over. You guys get a move on it...Stevie has things to do."

I downloaded the tracks and burned a CD while I got dressed. I also grabbed a CD of the Shangrila tracks. A few minutes later, Stevie and I were heading into Aspen. My phone rang again. It was George. "...yeah, we'll talk more on this. Kisses to Sarah...See ya next week."

"Ain't you something, Davy. Cruisin' with the stars! Who better than you?"

"You just wait, Stevie. You remember when we toured in '68? That was nothing compared to what we'll be doing this summer. Maybe we'll take Big Chocolate for a few dates...kinda like Willie Nelson's bus."

"I like that idea just fine. I'll start working on having the managers cover for me."

My phone rang again. It was Janey and Ian and they were ecstatic. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it out to the wedding as they had to fly to Scotland where Ian's sister was getting married. She said that her daughter, Cris, my niece who lives in Fort Collins, would be there.

We pulled up in front of the recording studio. Fortunately, the staff was just coming in. Stevie introduced me to Jamie and I told him about my plan. He suggested that he come over to the house to check out the space before he suggested anything and we made plans for late afternoon. He showed me around the space and it was really nice...very comfy. He also said that there was no way I could have anything in place before the wedding but he offered his studio if I needed it. I pulled out my CDs and asked if we could have a listen. He put on the Shangrila demos first and was flabbergasted by the musicians. I told him that it was very possible that some of those musicians might join me in his studio and I thought he was going to pass out. We listened to the demo and it drew his staff into the control room. Everyone thought that they were great. Jamie was very impressed by the Shangrila sound. I told him that Shadow was remixing my old stuff there. Then we put on the Los Lobos CD. First track was a kick-ass version of "Sally Take A Ride". Hidalgo and Rosas dueled with killer leads. I absolutely loved it and I knew we'd be doing that song in Denver. The second track was "Canasta de Pan (Breadbasket)" in Spanish with a very Tex-Mex/Norteno/Mariachi feel like only Los Lobos can attain. It purely knocked me out.

"Odas las noches alrededor de las seis, reunimos 'redonda la mesa, Mamá y Padre y Abuelito, mí y mi hermana, Mabel, Nosotros doblamos las manos y damos gracias al Señor, Para la comida nosotros estamos a punto de digerir, Y para prometer hacer lo que tiene razón y hace todo que podemos."

"Fucking A!" I wiped my teary eyes. Stevie slapped my back. "Now you see why I need a studio in the house, Jamie?"

"Don't worry, Davy. We'll make it as sweet as Shangrila." A staffer took some pictures of us for his wall and I signed a few autographs. I also got compliments on "In The Key Of Me" at The Woody Creek and was asked if I would do a set there again. I thought it was possible...maybe even before the wedding and I told them to keep an ear open. Jamie and I agreed to meet later and Stevie and I pulled away.

"Davy, can you make a quick stop a couple of blocks away? I have to pick up something?"

"Sure, Stevie." I slipped Los Lobos into the CD Player and flipped out all over again. I listened to it again while Stevie ran into a small office. He was out quickly with a large bag.

"Check it out, man" Inside the bag was a half pound of herb. We stuck our faces into it and it smelled sweet. Stevie rolled one as I drove back to the house. It was very, very good ganga.

The girls were just getting into the Escape as we pulled up. I told Amy about the meeting and George's call. She said that both Danny and Emma called and that I should call them back.

"Sally, you must hear this. You're going to plotz on the spot." I put the Los Lobos CD into the player. They were freaking out. "That's my song! That's my song!" screamed Sally joyfully. I told her I would do that with them at the Denver show and I would dedicate it her. Then "Breadbasket" came on and Amy started to cry. She just looked at me and nodded.

Stevie and I went into the house. I showed him "Domesticity."

"Now, this is a song, Davy. This is great. I can hear it."

I called Danny while he rolled a few for me. "Hiya Dan...yup, that is some itinerary...sure I'll do it...how much? You're kidding me! Let's turn half back to the Food Pantry Fund...No? Why not?...But what is this bullshit with LiveNation? Them and that Sillerman asshole fucked up the concert business forever...that's true, They all suck and they are rip-off artists. Always were, even Wolfgang...too expensive...empty seats...You spoke to Eliiot Roberts. He said what? Really?...Well, that does ease the pain somewhat...All right, all right, whatever you say...it'll pay for the studio we're building in the house...and that, too. Yup, a week from Saturday...We have a room for you so don't bother...No shit! God bless precious metals...Sure, go ahead...do what you do....Chuck D? He did? He sampled it? No shit! Very cool. Okay...okay...uh-huh. Good. I'll see you and Kathy a week from Friday...with Emma? Excellent. I love you, man. Honest. Bye."

"I'm rolling in it, Stevie. Money is coming in faster that I can ever spend it. I'm going to have to start giving some of it away. How much you want?"

"Shit, man. If I'm going on tour with you, you better pay me top dollar. I have some heavy backline demands, dude. Plus, I have to get another autoharp."

Stevie and I burned another one as we walked Santo around the property. Make that, some of the property since the house and grounds made up fifty-five acres in all. We stood at the top of a hill in the back where a pristine pond lay surrounded by trees. There was a small enclosed gazebo that looked like a perfect writing room to me. I just shook my head in amazement. We were both nicely buzzed as we walked back. I waved Stevie off as he left to do his things.

Back on the deck, I called Graham and got more details. I called George and we shmoozed for a while. I called Emma. I told her that Danny just told me that they'd be flying in together. She said that Angie can't wait to be the flower girl and that Andy was excited to see me again, his favorite uncle, 'the rock star!' I asked her how she and Jack were doing financially and she said fine, that they were flush ever since I shtupped her with some of my lottery winnings. I told her that I wanted to put her and Carla in charge of my real estate holdings which would provide them with more money. She said that Jack would love that bit of news. She bitched about Carla for a little while and I complained that even though she was in Japan or China or wherever the hell she was, I hadn't heard from her in some time and I missed her. Emma said to expect a call soon but that Carla didn't seem too thrilled about my getting remarried. Too bad. It wasn't about her. I told Emma about the summer tour and she was thrilled about that. I promised that she would have the best seats in the house when we played New York. I also asked if Amy and I could stay at their East Hampton place when I played Montauk in late August and there was no problem with that either. Emma is kind of like me that way, easy going and hospitable. Not like her mother. Carla is more prickly, more like her mother, but more creative. I told Emma I loved her and to kiss Jack and the kids and I couldn't wait to see her next week.

Frannie called me from St. Remy in the Provence area of France. She babbled on about her writing contract for the London Times and that she's be in France for another three weeks and then in Italy for a few more. She's said she'd be up in Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. That's when I jumped in. First, I told her about the upcoming wedding and asked if I could buy her a first-class round-trip ticket so she could make the wedding. She thought about it for a few moments and then opted out saying she had a deadline to meet on the Friday before the wedding. She said that she'd heard from Janey about the YouTube videos and had watched them. She said she'd be flying into New York in August for a couple of weeks and I suggested we meet up then and she could catch a concert. I then asked her if she would like me to ask my friend, George Clooney, to meet up with her in Lake Como. I thought the line went dead. "George...like THE George Clooney?" That idea she liked knowing full well she'd get major placement in the Sunday section of the newspaper. We talked for a little while longer and I asked her to reconsider my plane tickets offer but, as is her way, she was adament in her refusal. She asked for our address so she could send a gift.

I opened my laptop to check my mail when the phone rang again. It was Susan. She said that she'd found a place in town to take the bus for maintenance. She said it would take a few days and could she fly in on Tuesday and stay through until Monday after the wedding when she would fly back with Elon, who was coming in on Friday. Sure. I told her that she could stay at the house so we could have a couple of days to party and she liked that idea. She told me, on the q.t., that she'd be staying with Elon at the hotel after he arrived and that it was hush-hush. I told her that my lips were sealed and that I'd see her next week and hung up.

I had email from Shelley and Linda. They'd heard about the wedding on E.T. and were excited for me. They said that all was well with them and they'd got over their problems. I wrote back that I would have seats for them in Chicago. the next email was from Laura, who asked me to call her. There was an email from Carla and Denis and one from Alan and Anna, both were congratulatory.

The phone rang again. It was Mark. "We're back on Beech Knoll Road, my friend, and this whole town in buzzing about your wedding. I think we're going to fly in on Friday with a whole bunch of loons but I'm not sure. So, how you doin?"

"We're okay, buddy. Just busy with this and that, I'm building a studio in the house here so whenever you and Deb come to visit, we can lay stuff down. And man, I'm going to email you a couple of tracks Hidalgo sent me. They're killer."

"It looks like we're going to plenty busy this summer. It's one hell of a tour."

"Yeah - but it looks like a lot of fun. The four of us are going to pah-tee!"

"Maybe the Obamas will join us."

"Yeah, right!" We went on like this for a while. He said he had a surprise for me from New Orleans and that he couldn't wait to deliver it. "Coolio. I'll see you guys next week. Love to Deb. Bye."

I called Laura. She asked if she could fly in on Tuesday to cover the wedding and hang with us. I told her that we reserved a room in the house until Friday when we'd move her into the hotel. This excited her because of all the others with whom she'd be hanging. After I hung up with her, I closed my eyes and just dreamed for a little while, listening to the birds chirping and the hawks crying from way on high. This was idyllic. What a tough way to exist.

I hadn't read a newspaper in some time getting my news from the web and the TV. I couldn't remember the last time I did The Times crossword puzzle. But here, in this lazy backyard, I opened the Aspen Times and blew through it. Then I blew through the Aspen Free Press. Local news that I know nothing about is very easy to scan although I did happen to capture a certain wedding announcement. Still, it bothered me a little that I was out of touch with the major issues of the day. In my old life, I made political stands all the time. A lot of us did. I felt that, as a resident of Nutopia, each of us should have strong principles and the ability to discuss them freely. Imagine! Today, no musicians nor artists seemed to stand for anything except making a buck. What does Christine Aguilera stand for? Or Justin Bieber? Name one popular artist who stands for anything? You can't. And while some people might not care what my politics are, I think it's important to challenge my fans, to force them to think beyond their own sphere of comfort and to open a dialogue. Maybe the time was right to speak about these things again. Anyway, that's what I think, for what it's worth.

Something was running around my head. I grabbed my pad and basically, the song wrote itself. As I wrote, the words sang the melody to me. I liked the F#m modulation and worked that in. I wrote "Poor Man" on the top.

"These are hard times in this world today, Only bankers have money and real work don't pay, If you ask him for a loan, he has nothing to say, He just turns up his nose and he looks away. It ain't right.

Throwing oil in the water and dirt in the air, Turn green into black and don't even care, Just raking it in, not a penny to share, Justifying it all by saying 'Life just not fair'. It ain't right.

If a poor man has no shoes, He can walk in bare feet. But if a poor man has no food, He still has to eat. Help the Poor Man.

A time will come when the situation's reversed, The poor man will be king and the rich man will be cursed, Hard times will get better, they really can't get worse, When someone goes to lend a hand, the poor man will go first. That's right.

God help the poor man, With no shoes on his feet. 'Cause when a poor man has no food, He still has to eat. Help the Poor Man. God help the Poor Man."

I felt very satisfied when I set my pen down. Sometimes, when they write themselves, however rare those times may be, it just happens like that. I was just a conduit. John Lennon once said that all songs exist just above your head and slightly out of reach. You have to stretch high to snatch one.

When Amy and Sally returned they were all bubbly about the new car and that made me glad. For me, buying my first Ford ever was not an easy decision but the car called it for me so I was pleased that I'd made a good choice. Sally asked me to burn a copy of the Los Lobos tracks for her and suggested we go out to dinner. Amy suggested that we just ramble over to the Woody Creek to thank George for all his road treats. I agreed and we said we'd meet them there. Jamie stopped by a little while later and he was impressed by the size and sound of the room. He took some measurements and asked that I give him a few days to develop a plan, a design and some specs. A little while after he left, we drove down to The Woody Creek. As usual, the food and the ambiance was great. George was in good spirits and sat with us for a while. Amy invited him to come to the wedding and he immediately agreed. He asked if we might play another little show soon and I mused that since I had a whole bunch of friends flying in for the wedding, maybe we could do something on the Friday night of wedding weekend. I said that we had to keep it super secret because of the names involved and that the crowd would destroy his place, not to mention the lack of permits, etc. He swore he would.

Over the fish tacos and cold beer, we talked more about our trip and mostly about the good food we ate along the way. Amy mentioned the AdHoc in Yountville and Thomas Keller's cuisine. Me? I mentioned In 'n Out Burgers. After dinner, we parted ways and headed back home with some scraps for Santo.

The next few days seemed busy but in a pokey kind of way. We got everything that we needed to get done but we were plenty laid back about the whole thing. Danny had sent a bunch of papers for us to sign concerning the combining of our estates. And, although she had no idea where he might be, we included her brother into our estate and property management along with my daughters. I asked Amy about Phillip and she said that she hadn't seen him in more than twenty years. They'd never been close and he had a troubled and angry attitude. The last time she saw him, he was on his way to Southeast Asia and India. She'd never received any letters, calls or cards and she didn't even know if he was still alive. I understood the pain she felt although she did well to minimize it.

On the weekend, Amy and I drove around as she gave me the tour. From Snowmass to Leadville and Turquise Lake, we enjoyed the tranquility and the beauty of this part of Colorado. I was reminded of Rick Roberts tune "Colorado" and how he captured the feel of the place.

"Hey Colorado. It was not so long ago, I left your mountains to try life on the road, But Im tired of that race, It was much too fast a pace, And I think Ive found my place, Colorado, I want to come home...

On the shore of Ruedi Reservoir, we sat and ate cheese and baguettes, drank wine, toked up and let Santo roll on his back in the grass. The White River Forest was a beautiful spot. On Saturday night, we slept in the mountain top cabin and made sweet love. To say that our love nest is special is to diminish it's significance to us.

Tuesday came faster than we knew and we picked up Susan at Sardy Field. I drove Big Chocolate and Amy drove the Ford. We waited there for about an hour until Laura landed. We drove directly to the shop and Susan directed them on how to prep the bus. She told them she would return in the morning to upgrade the modules. Susan was looking especially pretty and, as I had learned in Berkeley, she was quite candid and one who got to the point quickly. She told us that she'd been dreaming of seeing us again since we pulled away from the university. We drove to the hotel and sat down for a late lunch. I knew that Stevie and Sally might be there and fortunately they were and they joined us over some pasta. We invited them to come over for a sunset hot tub party.

Back at the house, Amy set up Susan and Laura in bedrooms. While they unpacked and showered, I sat on the deck and played my Martin while Amy caught the last rays of the afternoon. She liked "Poor Man" but didn't hear me doing it. Santo had taken to the backyard and he enjoyed rolling around in the grass and snapping at flies. Susan and Laura joined us on the deck with a lit joint and I poured glasses of chardonnay. We chatted about this and that for a while when Stevie and Sally walked in. Of course, Stevie had a freshly rolled bone hanging from his lips. Once we were appropriately mellow, we stripped down and entered the bubbling tub.

"Oh, baby, I needed this," said Sally. As each of us got into the tub, we groaned in agreement.

"I've been dreaming of this for weeks," said Susan, "ever since I first met you two. She looked at Stevie, "Now I remember where I know you! You're the other guy in that painting on the wall in Big Chocolate! I knew you looked familiar."

"Gee...you're right, Sue," observed Laura.

I explained how far back I knew Stevie and Sally and how far back Amy knew them. I explained that they were the ones who set us up. Susan asked if they knew a guy for her considering their matchmaking skills. Sally told her that her wheels were spinning. Laura asked if she could have some time with Stevie and Sally to talk about my salad days for her article. She said that it was nearly complete but when the wedding arose, she knew it would make a perfect ending. The Los Lobos show, she felt, would make an ideal coda.

By now, we were all getting a bit randy. Laura told everyone about her happy revelation on the trip from Yellowstone to the airport and how Amy and Deb showed her the glass dildo. I added that my surprise was feeling her shaved woofer while I was driving. I reached down into the bubbling water and copped a feel. "Yup, that's the same one. I'd remember it anywhere!"

"Wait a minute! I want to remember it, too!" Stevie reached down and replaced my hand with his. "Nope...doesn't ring a bell...but it will!" I noticed that he didn't pull his hand away and a smiling Laura didn't seem to mind.

"Now, Susan, on the other hand (and I moved my hand onto her pussy), this is one I can't remember because I never touched it before...and, you know, it feels nice! Susan had the good fortune to spend the night in Big Chocolate with another Tesla salesperson named Ella and she left us a gift of some primo weed. But what exactly did happen that night with Ella, Susan?"

"It really wasn't very exciting, at least not for Ella. She's a bit uptight...not a very warm person. Which was too bad because I was very horny that night...pot does that to me. I came on to her but she wasn't biting so I slept in your bed and Ella slept in the fold-out. I was laying on your bed high as can be and playing with myself. I looked at the shelves behind the pillows and I saw the glass dildo and the rabbit. I'd also turned on the TV and was watching one of your bisexual porno discs. So anyway, there I am, pumping the dildo and squealing and moaning when I notice Ella watching me and touching herself under her panties. I invited her onto the bed and handed her the rabbit. She was pretty nervous and she told me that she never used a vibrator before and also that sex was never much good except when she played with herself. I took the rabbit and started to rub it over her panties. She lay back and started to shiver so I got bolder and pulled her panties down. I started to do her and she really started to give off a very strong odor. I really had no choice about it, I was so horny so while I pumped the rabbit inside her, I licked her pussy, too. She came so hard that the bus was bouncing. I'm sure any students that might have passed by knew what was going on inside. She had an explosive orgasm. For about an hour after, I got her to smoke some pot to loosen up and I made her cum again but I could never get her to go down on me. In the morning, she was very embarrassed about it and made me swear not to tell Elon. Of course, when Elon arrived, I'd already put the sheets in the washer and had cleaned up the bus, but he smelled pussy right away. Later, when Ella went out to bring back lunch, he asked me if I had broken her down. Up until then, I hadn't known that he'd tried, too. I told him that I was only partially successful."

"I smelled pussy in the bus, too, and I got there hours later."

"I'm telling you, it was her pussy...very, very powerful, Davy...heady is what you might call it."

Susan was sitting between me and Amy. As she told her story, I stroked her puss as Amy caressed her breasts. When her story ended, Amy commented that Ella should have spend a little private time with us and that we would have turned her. Amy recounted the events of the trip where we had turned Carla and Denis. She seemed quite proud of it. Susan spread her legs wide for me as she and Amy frenched. I looked over as Laura, Sally and Stevie were getting into it and I suggested that we move the party to the bedroom.

We all got onto the bed and sat passing a joint around. I commented that the women were all nearly hairless, the exception being Susan's crown of silky black hair above her vagina. Amy reached over and stroked my hardening dick to the amusement of all. Naturally, it rose to the occasion.

"Sally, this is what they were talking about." She reached into her night table and brought out her glass dildo and her strap-on. They received all the oohs and ahs you might imagine. Sally took the glass dildo and placed the head to her lips, licking it while she smiled.

"It still has a little of that Amy flavor to it. Nice!"

Susan asked if she used the strap-on on me. "Not yet but maybe one of these days...right, hon?"

"Well, maybe...we'll see. But right now, I want to lick Susan to see if that pussy I detected was really Ella!" I leaned around and stuck my nose in her pussy, taking a deep whiff. "Yup, she was right! This kind of has the scent of fresh flowers. What I smelled in the bus was Water Buffalo!" Susan rolled me onto my back and straddled my face. I couldn't see what was going on around me but I heard lots of sighs and moans and felt tongues licking my cock. Susan was sliding her pussy over my face. Clearly, she was running the show. As she began to cum, her sliding became quicker and with shorter movement back and forth. Her vagina widened to encompass my mouth. Her sweet juice flowed onto me and she quickly slid further back and mounted my cock. I reached up and fondled her small breasts and small pointy nipples. To one side, I saw Sally riding Mr. Happy and on the other side, I saw Amy wearing the strap-on and fucking Laura with long even strokes. Stevie was smoking a joint and taking the whole thing in. He looked at me and smiled. Moving over toward my head, he fed me his cock. Immediately, I recognized his familiar flared crown as it passed over my tongue.

"Oh fuck. How cool," sighed Susan. She placed her hands on my chest and while controlling her fucking motions, she leaned in and began to suck on Stevie's balls. I took his cock out and fed it to her so I could concentrate on fucking her tight little twat.

Sally got on all fours and she was driving the dildo in and out in a frenzy. She leaned down and buried her face in Amy's ass as she began to thrash as her orgasm mounted. The dildo was buried as deep as it would go as she squirmed on it. I was mesmerized watching her cum as she was putting on quite a show. Susan, meanwhile passed Stevie's cock back to me and we both worked on it together. He said that he was cumming and she told him to cum on her tits. She held it and pointed it toward her tits but his shots hit her face and her neck. I started to bounce and she began to shake again. I picked her up and threw her on her back just as I pulled out and began to shoot all over her tits. She rubbed them as I flooded her. She pulled me toward her mouth and drank my last dribbles.

I collapsed to one side and reached over to Sally. I pulled the dildo from her cunt and pulled her down on my face where I proceeded to eat her in the crazy, wildness that she loves. "Yeah, Davy...you know...yes, yes...I'm almost there, baby...yes, yes...I'm gonna squirt all over you."

"Oh, my...I want to see you squirt," said Laura. She disentangled from Amy and moved her head near mine. She rubbed my cock as I furiously licked Sally. Suddenly, Sally lifted her ass up and began to shower my face with a her spraying snatch. "Oh...how cool...how cool." Laura reached in and placed her hand under the spray. She then licked her fingers.

We were all a bit winded and we sort of collapsed in a big smiling heap upon each other. "You guys are wild," said Susan. "I just love how anything goes."

"I can see why you're such a successful salesperson, Suze. You like to be in charge."

"Yeah, I suppose...especially my first orgasm. I like to make sure I cum. Does that bother you?"

"No, not at all. That was an eminently fun fuck."

"Oooh, I like to be forcefully fucked," said Amy. "Wanna do me, Suze?"

"I'd love to." She took the strap-on and began to make out with Amy. "Will you let me fuck you, Amy? I want to fuck you good with my big cock."

"Yes, fuck me with that monster. Fuck me hard." Suze was pinching and twisting Amy's nipples.

She mounted Amy and slowly slid the cock in letting Amy feel its length. Once she was buried in her she began to slowly slide it in and out. She gave a little push each time she reached bottom which made Amy jump a bit and push back. We were watching this go down as Amy reached over and clenched my hand. My cock began to stir as Laura and Sally were taking turns licking it. I liked how Laura licked the underside from the base of my balls to just beneath the helmet where her tongue did a little dipsy-do.

Susan was fucking Amy hard now and Amy pulled her legs back to give her more space. Susan was telling her how much she liked to fuck her, how good it felt and how she was going to make her cum. The nub on the inside of the strap-on was having its affect on Susan and the two of them were bouncing. Amy let out her deep groan and I knew she wasn't long, her clenched hand was stopping the blood flow through mine. "Oh Christ, your doing me so good!" Susan drove her even harder, occasionally adding little bites to Amy's nipples. Amy began to toss her head from side to side, grunting and flailing. She arched her back as Susan filled her. Then she let go, with a deep swooping groan and a high arch, she began to cum and cum and cum. Finally, with one last arch, she flopped back down on the bed. Susan decreased her speed but didn't stop and a moment later, she pushed herself deeply into Amy and, with her fingers under the strap-on, she came, too. Sighing, the two of them held each other.

"Yes indeed. You are some fucker, Suze." Amy turned to me and said, "she's a regular human Sybian!"

I was hard now and wanting to fuck again so I flipped Laura onto her back and slipped into her. "Please don't do me as hard as that, Davy. I like it gentle."

Amy leaned over and whispered in Laura's ear, "Then you will love my Davy."

I propped myself upon my elbows and proceeded to suck some face. She was a very good kisser and we quickly got into a nice rhythm. I slowly ran my hands down her soft body and around her full breasts. I stroked down her hips and along her thighs and then back up from whence I started. We rolled onto our sides and she wrapped one leg around my hip. I never broke stride and continued to slowly slide in and out of her, My hand trailed down to her cunt lips and I pulled them up and open, just tickling her clit. She liked that I continued the motion. I slid my hand back up and damn near cut myself on the diamond in her pierced navel. We had a nice smooth motion going as she kissed my face and tongued my earlobe. I rolled over onto my back and cupped her ass using my palms to rock her as I pushed into her. She liked that and spread her legs over my hips all the while kissing me deeply and swapping our spit. Stevie moved behind her and began to tongue her asshole and rub my balls. She seemed to like that, too. She was a very responsive woman, allowing little sighs, purrs and moans with each sensation. Her pussy seemed to throb responsively, too, as my hands pushed her deeper. Stevie moved off her as she rolled me over again so that I was in the superior position. She pulled her legs back as I picked up the pace. Her hand slid down to her clit and diddled it as I rocked. She whispered into my ear, "I've wanted your cock since I first met you. I knew you would be a wonderful fuck...and you are. You're doing me right, Davy, and I'm loving it. I'm starting to cum...you're making me cum...my rock star is making me cum...cum inside me...let me feel you shoot your cum inside me..." Her fingers picked up speed and I could feel her squeezing me deeper. Now we were kissing voraciously. She was panting and jerking her hips, her breasts bounced happily under me. This woman was an enthusiastic partner and very, very sensual. Her body writhed in a gentle way. I was envisioning a Scheherazade dancing around my cock which was starting to throb. Laura hiccuped and began to squeeze her pussy. I could feel her body heat up. One hand pulled at my nipple as she murmured, "yes, yes, yes." And then, in quiet release, I felt her flow around my cock as she seemed to squeeze out her orgasm. I felt as I though I was swimming in her and started to let my cum go. She murmured "yesssss" and squeezed harder, pulling it all out of me. We were both very wet and it was gushing out of her. I pulled my cock out of her quickly and she cried out. I bent between her legs and lifted her ass up so her pussy met my face. I was cleaning her up and sucking her clit. She pressed her hands down on my head and began to jerk, another orgasm was overtaking her and I worked her sweet cunt as long as she could handle it until she pushed my head away and pulled me back on top of her. She kissed me sweetly, holding me tight and rocking slowly. She lay her head back and laughed a laugh of joy and pleasure, "Oh, God...that was wonderful....soooo good."

The others had been watching intently. Amy leaned down and kissed her eyes. "See, didn't I tell you! Isn't he just the greatest? You can't have him, though, he's mine...but I might just lend him out now and then, but only if I'm there, too."

I was fucked out. In fact, everyone was a bit exhausted as we lay entwined. Finally, after about an hour, Sally said, "I've got some kind of appetite now. Anyone hungry?" We all nodded and mumbled. "I'm thinking Tacos and Steak Fajitas. Okay for everyone?" More nods and mumbles.

"I'll help," said Amy and Laura together and they fumbled out of bed. Stevie rolled over to the night table and lit a joint, handing it to Laura, who took it with her into the kitchen. He lit another one and we passed it around.

"So Susan, did you enjoy that?" I asked.

"I surely did but I intend to have some more, if you don't mind?"

"Right now?" asked Stevie.

"Sure, why not? Do you two have other plans?"

"I'm not so sure I can get it up right now. I feel kind of drained. What do you have in mind?" I asked between deep tokes.

"I was thinking that I'd like to watch you two get it on and then I join in?"

"So you like to watch guys?"

"I've never seen it live until today and it really turned me on. I like that you guys are bi."

Stevie looked at her and smiled. "I'd say we're ambisexual. It's all good."

"Have you always dug cock, too?"

"It was Sally who got us to do it for the first time when we were still in college. We both thank her for that. And how about you? When did you first start eating pussy?"

"I was in high school and me and my best friend were messing around during a sleep over. It was fun to explore and then taste each other as we mimicked the action of a porno film. I knew then and there that I could have it all."

Stevie slid down and spread my legs. "So you want to see me suck his cock, do you?" He lifted my cock but it just flopped back down. He gave it some tentative licks and it didn't move. "Come closer, Suze, so you can watch me." She slid down so that her head was near my crotch. Her hips were near my head and the sweet scent of her pussy drifted into my nostrils. Stevie began to lick and suck my cock and I moved my head nearer to her. She sensed this and turned on her side lifting a leg. Her scent was an aphrodisiac and I began to get hard between Stevie's lips. I pushed a finger into her canal and then placed it under my nose to take it in. Stevie moved to the side and she began to stroke him. Soon, she was sucking him. I moved so that we were in an oral triangle and I could dip my tongue into her snatch. We kept at this for a few minutes until Suze moved to the side.

"I want you both inside me. Stevie, swing around and suck on me. Davy, please fuck me." We did as we were told. As you probably know by now, this is one of my favorite positions. I mounted her from behind as she and Stevie sixty-nined. I love it when Stevie reaches up and kneads my ballsac, occasionally sticking his finger up my ass. And knowing how much Susan liked to be forcefully fucked, I banged away hard.

"Dinner's almost ready!"

"Us, too!" I yelled back.

"No," said Suze, "let's go eat. We can continue this later!" And, just like that, she separated and bounced into the kitchen. Stevie and I went soft instantly.

"She's a whacky one, isn't she?" asked Stevie. I just shrugged.

"Come on! Let's go, you guys! We're in the back!"

We walked out the french doors to see four naked women sitting around the table pouring wine and chattering away over the food. Stevie grabbed the stash and an ashtray. We looked at each other, shrugged and joined them.

They were in conversation as we came to the table. Amy was talking about our sex life. "...but we do it together. We don't play separately. I think I can speak for Davy when I say that we prefer each other's company best and we both have the best sex with each other. Am I right, Davy, or is that just wishful thinking?"

"No, dear, you are one hundred percent correct. I would prefer to have sex with Amy more than breathing. That's the truth. I like to be there when she comes, I like to watch and see her pleasure. I mean, some might say that an orgasm is an orgasm but with Amy, our orgasms reach new heights. We are very well attuned to each other. To be perfectly frank, while group sex is fun for both of us, I'd much prefer to be with her alone...we transcend sex."

"And I'll drink to that!" Amy raised her glass.

"Let me propose a toast," said Sally, "Now, I've known these two for most of my life. I've enjoyed their company and their friendship individually for more years than I care to divulge. But seeing these two together has created a force I could never have imagined. Apart, they were strong personalities. Together, they are a totality...they glow...they give off a vibe of everything good we wish we could all attain. This is truly a marriage made in heaven. I wish you both every moment of wonder...and peace...and friendship...and honesty......and love. May you make our world a better place to be. I love you so. Here's to Amy and Davy Harper."

We clinked our glasses and to be honest, both Amy and I had watery eyes. I kissed Sally, Stevie and Amy. Then I dug into my food.

Later that night, when we were alone in our bed, Amy said that she had something to tell me. "I got a call from Artie today. He told me about a property in town that will be going up for sale in a few days. It's a shame because the owner doesn't want to renew the lease of three longtime tenants and wants to open more yuppified stores - designer clothing stores, like that. I thought about what you said about East Hampton turning to shit for the same reasons."

"What kind of stores is he closing up?"

"Three stores: the hardware store that's been here since the 19th century, an ice cream store and the five and dime."

"Hmm...real community places. Why don't we buy the property and keep the stores there?"

"I was thinking the same thing but Artie said it would be a tough negotiation. He thinks he can get $800,000 grand a year from the new tenants. He's going to drive a hard bargain."

"Fuck 'em. Money talks, bullshit walks. I have an idea. Why not make a deal with him...here's my thinking. Let's buy the building and keep the stores there at the same or better leases, so we can be sure they stay. Then, let's take that awkward piece of property you own near the airport...right on 82, across from the Inn...and turn it into an upscale shopping village with high end stores in western architecture, sort of like what Meg did in Mill Valley...and, here's the hook, we give the current landlord a piece of the action. It's a win-win for him and it yuppifies a dead area on the main drag. It probably takes a bit more thought but, off the top of my head, it sounds like it could work."

"Davy, I think it's fucking brilliant. It will open up a whole new area that's already zoned for business. And we can make it beautiful...and green...and a destination. Oooh, the rich skiing tourists will love it. Let me write this down...I'll talk to Artie in the morning and see if we can make a deal. How much are we willing to spend?"

"I don't know...whatever it takes to keep those stores there...whatever it takes to keep the local community alive. I'll leave that to you and Artie."

Amy was still writing and crunching numbers by the time I fell asleep. When the morning came, she was on the phone in her office talking to Artie. She looked at me and smiled.

"Artie just called me back. We got us a deal. The landlord really wants to get out of the building, he says it needs some work so he'll sell it to us for six million and he'll take twenty percent of the new shopping village. I know his son - he's good - and maybe we can induce him to manage the new place. I want to go into town and talk to the present shopkeepers. Coffee is hot so have some and let's go into town."

A little while later, we piled into the Ford. Susan asked to be dropped off at the dealership so she could oversee the modifications and Laura wanted to watch us do our thing. Santo just wanted to go for a ride.

The trip into town turned out to be very successful. All the shopkeepers were thrilled that we had stepped in to save their businesses. We promised that there would be no lease increases and we asked all of them to make a list of things that needed repair and also a wish list of things they would like to see. Then we drove over to an architectural firm that Amy has used in the past. She told them our plan for the property near the airport and asked them to come up with a design that was green, that fit in with the village and that could be a destination. The architects wondered about local stores we might impact and I suggested that we talk with them first about opening up a satellite store. Since we had no intention of harming the town, we'd look for stores that weren't already located in town and would not be competitive with those stores. They liked our plan and said they would set to work immediately. Amy also asked them to draw up plans for a caretaker's house and a front security gate for our house. She remembered.

We then drove over to the Inn at the country club to make sure all the rooms were being readied for our wedding guests. Amy had already ordered certain amenities like Frette sheets and large flat screen entertainment centers, as well as some new fixtures and such. She was quite pleased with what she saw and heard. We walked over to the dining room and Sally was already there. She showed us the menu which included Stevie's Fricasee and Challah. Sally also wanted to discuss the schedule with Amy but Amy just waved her off and told her to keep doing what she knows best. Susan called me on my cell and asked that we pick her up. Work on the bus was progressing fine but she was driving the workers crazy. We drove over to the hotel for lunch which, naturally, was Santo's favorite part of the day. I mean, if you were a dog, wouldn't you want to sit under the table munching on a thick bone?

It was mid-afternoon by the time we returned to the house. I sat down with my writing pad, my guitar and a doober. Susan was on the phone and on her computer with Menlo Park. Stevie came by and picked up Laura so they could talk about me privately. And Amy, she was busy writing lists of stores that she wanted to contact for the new center.

That night, after a light dinner, I played the Los Lobos tracks for Laura and Susan. We also watched the Sebastian show DVD. We ended up in the pool under the moonlight, playing with each other and having fun. Having three beautiful nude women servicing me (and each other) was an easy way to enjoy myself.

Thursday, the tension was mounting. Danny called me to see if everything was alright and I assured him that things could not be better. He told me that there was a shake-up at Warner's and Head Suit was gone. He also told me that my ex had called him and Emma with a bunch of demands. "I don't want to fire you up but she is such an evil, envious cunt!" Emma had told her to chill out and he had told her to fuck off and never call him again. He told her to get a lawyer and just try to sue us. I just love the way Danny operates.

The Aspen Times called Amy to ask her about the wedding and about the rumor that we were purchasing the hardware store building. Amy handled it perfectly and told the reporter that nothing would change except for the fact that the hardware store, the ice cream shoppe and the five-and-dime would be even better. She also said that it was our wedding gift to the town. Excellent public relations. She said nothing about the new shopping village.

Santo and I took a ride over to the dry cleaners to make sure that my suit, an old cream colored Nudie original with guitars, musical notes and twining flowers flowing over it, was ready. Surprisingly, it fit fine. I picked up a new silk shirt and a new pair of cream and black Lucchese boots. Finally, I stopped at the jeweler and picked up our simple gold wedding bands. I was ready. At least that's what my head was telling me.

When I returned, Amy wouldn't let me into the bedroom because she and the girls were puttering with her dress so I grabbed Stevie and threw him into the car. With Santo panting and drooling away, we drove up to the mountaintop cabin for some peace and quiet.

"I've heard about this place but I've never been here," Stevie told me. "Amy has always kept this place to herself."

We sat on the deck near the edge of the hill and watched the eagles and hawks fly around. We got pretty wasted for a while and we talked and talked and talked.

"What a long strange trip it's been but shit, what a fucking fine destination."

"Well said, Shakespeare! You know I did a lot of reminiscing with Laura and it brought a lot of things home to be about this long strange trip. Do you remember when we were on our way to our first gig at Hecate's Circle in Philly? We had a whole new world in front of us and we were confident that we would kill that night. I think we opened for Todd who was with Woody's Truck Stop then before he did Nazz."

"Yeah, I remember that night. The crowd couldn't have cared less about us. We laid some big egg that night."

"We did, that's true but on the way home, we were glad we had that first gig under our belt. We analyzed that gig over and over and the next gig was much better. We learned a lot and we entertained a much more responsive crowd. Coming home after that one, I started waiting for the record companies to start calling. Not you, though, you went back to the writing pad and started building our repertoire. You didn't even think about success, you thought about the art of it. That hasn't changed. That's who you are...a songwriter, a troubadour, an artist. Me? I'm a cook. I mean I love what I do but I took a different path because I suppose that's not what I was, you, on the other hand, stayed true to yours."

"I never thought about it that way, Stevie. I just did what felt natural to me. I sometimes wished I could adapt but, you know, I can't. I just don't know how. Ask me a couple of years ago if I was happy about that and you'd get a much different answer than the one you'll get today. It just happens like that."

Late in the afternoon, I got a call from Mark. He and Deb got an earlier flight and had landed at the airport, they'd picked up a rental and were on their way over. I was thrilled that I would be with them again. A few minutes later, they pulled in and it was hugs and kisses all over again. With Susan and Laura, it was sort of a reunion. I called Stevie and Sally to stop by and they said that they would later after their staff meetings.

Mark and I lit one up and I played the Los Lobos tracks for him. Like everyone else, he was knocked out by them. While the ladies locked themselves in the bedroom again, we sat out in the back and played some sweet music together. I played him "Domesticity" and he added a melodic hook that tied the whole thing together. After a bit, we took a break and went for a walk through the hills and down to the lake with Santo leading the way.

"This is some spread, Davy. It is really beautiful."

"It really is. It's going to be our main base. You'll have to come skiing in the winter. By then, I should have the studio completed. I also have to take you up to Amy's secret cabin on the mountaintop. It's another world. This whole place is a very peaceful environment. I guess you could say that I'm pretty happy."

"You two deserve to be happy. When Deb and I got the phone call, we were not surprised. It seemed like really the only obvious move to us."

Over dinner, Mark pulled out his New Orleans surprise from the trunk of the rental car. He had a sealed box filled with dry ice. Inside the box was fixin's for six Ferdi Specials and a large container of bread pudding from Mother's on Poydras Street. We let the box defrost and when dinnertime came, with a little help from the microwave, we chowed down and if you've ever partaken in a Ferdi Special, I need not tell you how exceptionally delicious it was. Stevie and Sally walked in and they had some too, which sent them both halfway to heaven. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, a Ferdi Special is made of about an inch of debris. Debris is the remains and the drippings of a sliced brisket packed into a long patty sized to fit into a soft hero roll. On top of that is a thick slice of baked ham, gravy and some cajun mayo. You wanna talk great sandwiches or what?

They hung out for a while, long enough for Mark and I to play them "Domesticity." Stevie made us play it again after he retrieved his autoharp and this time it was even better. With Stevie playing the chords and keeping the temo, he freed me up to riff with Mark. When Amy came in on the chorus, the song was complete and we shared knowing smiles.

That night, I had my very first Davy/Amy Special. Imagine if you will, Laura on one side of me, Susan on the other and Amy on top. Susan and Laura insisted on making love to both of us at once and they did an incredible job. Mark was between Amy's legs working on three pussies and my balls at once. Deb was on my face getting a tongue bath from both me and Amy. With all these sensations, we felt like fucking royalty...or maybe debris and ham.

And while everyone had bedrooms to go to, we all ended up sleeping together in the big bed. When the morning came, we had some more fun. I felt a special closeness with these people and our love came across in a special, intimate way. Susan had a looseness that only comes with a strong comfort level. Laura made both Amy and I feel a deep love coming from her. She's never felt so uninhibited and free in her life and she relished every moment. Of course, I don't have to tell you about Mark and Deb. It was a very special experience for all of us.

After showers and while we were drinking our coffee, the cleaning crew arrived. Amy referred to them as "La Nina" because they were eight hispanic women who blew through the house. We all sat on the deck while they cleaned house. Susan and Laura were packed up and ready to move over to the Inn. Mark and Deb were ensconced in their bedroom. We were all ready for the weekend.

As noon approached, I hopped into the Jag with Susan. We went over to the dealership where Big Chocolate was waiting. After a very critical once over, Susan gave it her seal of approval and I paid the bill. Susan took the Jag home and I drove the bus over to the airport to await our first arrivals. About a half hour later, Emma, Jack, Angie and Andy came racing through the breezeway into the waiting area. Such big happy smiley faces just lit up my heart. They all looked so wonderful.

Danny and Kathy were next off the plane. Behind them were Jimmy Buffett and Chuck D. Next was my cousin, Ricky and his wife, Adele. After them was my dear old friend, Doctor Lou and his wife, Janice, followed by Graydon and Annie.

"Been a long time, Ricky. You guys are looking good. I'm glad you made it."

"Are you kidding? We wouldn't miss this for the world! When Emma told me, I damn near shit myself!" said Ricky.

It was great to see all of them. I asked if they wanted to drop their stuff at the hotel or just come back to the house with me. Doctor Lou said that I would never get all their bags into the car and maybe we should just stop at the car rental. I pooh-poohed that idea and guided them out front where Big Chocolate stood proudly waiting. We packed everything into the storage bins with plenty of room to spare and got into the bus, which the kids just loved.

"Listen, on the way to the rental place which is right over there, I want you all to hear something. David Hidalgo sent this to me a couple of days ago. It's something Los Lobos just recorded. I'm sure we'll do these tracks at their show in Denver next weekend." I put on the CD and that bus rocked out. Jimmy was floored by "Canasta de Pan (Breadbasket)" and Chuck only wanted to sample it. I drove over to the rental place and pointed out where the Inn was located. I waited for them to get their cars and then I led them back to the house. During the short trip, the kids were already on the bed watching the TV, Jimmy, Chuck and Jack popped some cold ones (I stocked it with Landshark, of course.) Big Chocolate was the consummate host.

The front of the house started to look like a parking lot after our arrival. Amy came running out to greet everyone and she, Emma and Angie held hands walking back in. She'd set up a buffet in the dining room and suggested that they hit the pool after. I introduced everyone around. The kids grabbed some food and ran to change into their suits. Santo was very happy to seen them again and was slobbering all over Angie. It was obvious that the party had begun.

Emma and Jack pulled me aside. "Dad, she's fabulous. I love her already."

I knew Jimmy had a place in Aspen and he told me that Chuck, as well as a few others, would be staying there. I told him about the little show at the Woody Creek later and he was all for it.

All afternoon, the house filled with new celebrants, it was a great atmosphere. Cars pulled in and out. Fortunately, Amy thought of everything, including a small kitchen and waitstaff so there was really nothing for us to do but enjoy our friends. All the talk was about the upcoming tour and music, music, music. Frisbees flew around the backyard, splashes in the pool were constant, the pool table was busy and laughter seemed everywhere.

Around seven-thirty or so, we took off to the Woody Creek Tavern. All the parking spots were nearly gone when we got there and I parked Big Chocolate across the street. George was out of his mind ecstatic with the crowd in and outside. Our guests who had flown in that day seemed to scoot right over to the tavern. It was a full house and a half. We agreed to go on at eight-thirty and Amy and I moved around the place greeting our friends.

A film crew from E.T. pulled up and Danny got angry but I stepped in to make a deal. I told them that Annie Liebovitz and Vanity Fair had exclusive rights however, I would allow E.T. to film one song. I also told them that they could set up in the lobby of the Inn during the wedding and get any interviews they could wrangle. They could not however enter the ballroom as we already had a videographer and again, Vanity Fair had all the rights. Finally, I told them that if they followed my orders, Amy and I would give them five minutes. They accepted all my demands quickly, probably because they thought I would just toss them and were happy for any access. Graydon and Annie were also happy with this arrangement, especially since we had never discussed exclusivity of any kind.

Stan and Nancy showed up at eight-fifteen and both were nervous about not having a rehearsed. I told them not to worry and to just have fun as we were all going to wing it. George announced that the show was about to start and the outdoor stage/patio filled up. At eight-forty, Amy and I walked out on stage to massive applause and cheers.

"My friends, my family, and my dog. Thank you all for coming to our wedding. Tomorrow night will be a magical moment for Amy and myself and something we will never forget. We're in love and we are so glad to share it with all of you. Tonight however, we're going to get loose. I have a few new songs to play for you and at any time, if you want to join us up here, don't hold yourself back. Make sure you drink and eat or George will kill me...and...whenever I am here, I like to raise a glass in memory of Dr. Hunter Thompson. To Hunter!"

At that point, I noticed a minor commotion in the crowd. I saw Emma point her finger over someone's head.

"Oh my God, excuse me for a moment. I just got a major surprise. My daughter, Carla, is here fresh from Japan!" I walked out into the audience and hugged and squeezed her. I introduced her to Amy. I told her that I didn't think she'd make it.

"What? You think I'd miss this? Fucking twenty-two hours from Osaka so this better be good!" She got good laughter for that remark. We headed back up to the stage.

"Okay, now where was I? Angie and Andy, come here...my beautiful and handsome grandchildren...in the front...next to Sally and Santo...come on...okay...so I wrote this a few days ago and I need my best friends up here to help out...Mark O'Flannery - get your ass and your fiddle up here...I need my Best Man on autoharp...where are you, Stevie? This song is called "Domesticity", I sure hope you like it."

"...Domesticity is a roof above my head With a sturdy wooden floor And a solid wooden door And a table with fresh baked bread Made with five different types of grain Wouldn't want for nothing anymore."

A happy home with my love at my side My dog at my feet and I'll abide The Good Lord willing shall provide And they'll say I was smiling when I died. Yes, he was grinning like a fool when he died.

Big applause and cheers, hooting and hollering. We played for nearly a forty-five minutes with Mark and Stevie, Stan and Nancy and a revolving group of singers including Graham, David and Jax, Jimmy and Linda. We sang "Mighty Fine", "Wet Yet?", "In The Key of Me (The Aspen Song)", which got a big hometown applause, "Sally Take a Ride" (which I let E.T. tape), "Talk Dirty To Me (with Linda harmonizing with Amy)" and "Big Chocolate" (which crippled Begley like you can't imagine). Buffett shooed us off the stage and took over the mic. We sat next to my kids.

"Thank you Davy and Amy. Now go have a cold brew, preferable a Landshark - plug, plug - while we entertain you. First off, I want to express my long friendship to you, Davy. You are The Man." He sang "Love and Luck."

"Better days are in the cards I feel, Feel it in the changin' wind I feel it when I glide, So talk to me I'll listen to your story, I've been around enough to know That there's more than meets the eye, Everybody needs a little good luck charm, A little gris gris keeps you safe from harm, Rub yours on me, and I'll rub mine on you, Luckiest couple on the avenue.

With a little love and luck you will get by, With a little love and luck we'll take the sky, In this mangled modern world you've got to try, Try a little love and luck and you'll get by."

"Thank you, thank you. Now I want to turn the mic over to Graham and David...and Jackson and Linda. Whatcha got?"

"Thank you, James. We want to sing a song that people seem to like but it's our wish to the bride and groom"

"I'll light the fire, You put the flowers in the vase, That you bought today.

Staring at the fire, For hours and hours, While I listen to you, Play your love songs, All night long for me, Only for me.

Our house is a very, very fine house, With two cats in the yard, Life used to be so hard, Now everything is easy, 'Cause of you, And our la,la,la, la,la, la, la, la, la, la, la..."

Well into the second verse, everyone was singing along. When Graham started the third verse, he stopped singing and let the audience take over. By the time the song ended, it was a huge group sing-a-long and it garnered huge cheers and applause. In fact, there was so much noise that two police cruisers pulled up to investigate. George served them some food and they stood off to the side and watched the show.

Linda took the mic next. "I spoke to Jimmy and Laura Webb this week. They're in Italy and couldn't make it here but they send their love. I have a song that Jimmy wrote that I'd like to sing." She turned to Mark and he nodded, he whispered to Stan, Nancy, Stevie and Van Dyke who was now on the keyboards.

"I bruise you, you bruise me, We both bruise too easily, too easily to let it show, I love you and that's all I know.

All my plans had fallen through, All my plans depend on you, depend on you to help them grow, I love you and that's all I know.

But the ending always comes at last, Endings always come too fast, They come too fast But they pass too slow, I love you, and that's all I know. That's all I know, that's all I know."

My God, was that gorgeous! What pipes she has. The audience responded in kind. Linda called for Jackson.

"I see a friend of ours has just arrived. Bob, you want to do a song? Come on up." Dylan walked through the crowd and stopped to hug us.

"Yeah, I got one...I've bumped into Davy Harper many times over the years. >From being next to each other in recording studios to once on the movie set of "The Missouri Breaks" and good stuff always happens. In fact, I bumped into him at a concert a few hours after his daughter, Carla, was born...It was a thrill for me to see him all resurrected at the Food Pantry Benefit in Santa Monica. Anyway, sometimes, when I'm stuck for words, I think of how words just tumble out of Davy and my words start to flow. He's my instigator. This song happened like that. This one's for you two lovebirds...I need some help up here...Graham, David, Jackson? Who else..."

"May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others, And let others do for you, May you build a ladder to the stars, And climb on every rung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young...

...May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation, When the winds of changes shift, May your heart always be joyful, And may your song always be sung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young."

The crowd was hushed. Dylan can do that. The simplicity and tenderness of the song was made more powerful but the understated accompaniment. Stevie's simple arpeggiated chords and Mark's soulful plaint seemed to strengthen his words and phrasing. The singer's added another texture and David Crosby was astounding. There was a long pause before the crowd erupted in a roar. Bob nodded in thanks and left the stage. The other musicians followed. there seemed nothing more to do. I mean, who would follow that? Jackson seemed to sense the denouement and went up to the mic.

"Wow. I mean, what can I say except 'Thanks, Bob.'" He looked at me and I went up to the stage and took the mic from him.

"Thanks, Jax. And thanks to Bob, to Graham and David and Jimmy and Linda and Ed and Mark and Van Dyke and Stevie and Stan and Nancy and to my bride, my beautiful Amy. Weren't they great? Come on, give it up...Hang out a while...Does anyone know how Flaco is feeling? Or Stanley Dural?...George, can you send out another round of Landsharks - plug, plug)...Oh...I nearly forgot, I have a couple of announcements...First off, tomorrow at one, I want to cut a couple of tracks at Great Divide Studios in town. All players, singers and party animals are invited...Second announcement: I'd like you all the hear something. David Hidalgo sent this to me a couple of days ago. Los Lobos can't be here this weekend because they're playing in Houston and Dallas but they just recorded this. I'm sure that next weekend when they play Denver, we'll do 'em. The first track is a song I wrote back in 1970 when Stevie and I were scuffling. It was my first hit back in the day when hits mattered. It was written about this crazy lady down here in front...The second track is quite amazing. It called "Canasta de Pan" or "Breadbasket" in Spanish. I love it and I know you will, too. George, if you'll press 'play'?...Thanks again friends for coming out...we'll do this again tomorrow."

The music blared from the speakers and the party was back on track. Sally danced around and everyone mingled. I saw Bob talking with Danny and I went over to hug them both. I heard a deep baritone call my name and I looked over to see Shadow. We all hugged each other and they started to chat. Elon and Susan waved to me and I moved over to hug them. Before I could even say a word, Graydon and Elon were chatting. Annie was talking and snapping away, talking and snapping away like it was a natural thing. Linda and Amy were like sisters. Always big fans of his, Ricky and Adele were chatting with David. At one point, I saw Carla, Bob and Chuck shooting the breeze. Jack never left Emma's side and the children were having fun being led around by Santo. Nancy was busy asking Mark violin questions. Doctor Lou, who loves good music and has very esoteric taste was deep in conversation with Van Dyke and Jackson. I liked how my guests mingled.

One of the cops nodded to me and I walked over to shake his hand. He congratulated me and said that what Amy and I had done for the hardware store was a boon and a blessing to the town because many locals feared that their way of life was deteriorating due to creeping gentrification. I assured him that Amy and I would do all we could to prevent that and that we were just warming up. He thanked me profusely and walked off to his cruiser. Emma grabbed me and asked if she could take the kids back to the house to put them to bed. Amy, who was nearby, gave her instructions and the keys to the Ford. Before they left, Angie and Andy gave me big hugs. I told them to sleep tight because tomorrow was a big day.

I went and settled up with George. "Well, Davy, you did it again. This place was something else tonight...a very memorable night, thank you. I won't take your money, though...consider it a wedding gift, even though you're stealing my best girl."

Stevie was off to the side with Stan and Nancy. "So? Are you two ready for tomorrow night?"

"Not to worry, Davy. We have a small band made up of the best players in this area...and maybe with a few surprises, too. We also have the song ready for the procession. But, Davy...tonight was maybe the high point in my musical life...I played behind all those stars...and Bob Dylan! Somebody smack me!"

"...and I got to play with Mark O'Flannery, my fiddle God!" added Nancy.

"I feel the same way, Davy. That was too cool...way off the hook, man."

"Well, you all sounded superb. It was a thrill for all of us. Both Graham and Bob commented upon how well you guys sounded. Do you two want to join Stevie and me on the upcoming tour? The pay will be good and transportation and accomodations are covered."

"Be still my heart! Yes, yes yes!"

The party went on for another hour or so until guests began to drift off back to the Inn. Amy and I left before it was over. With Mark, Deb and Carla, we took Big Chocolate back to the house. The atmosphere in the bus was euphoric but I think Carla was starstruck. "Me and Bob Dylan talking about my book. Can you fucking imagine?" She commented that now she understood why her mother was so envious but I let the remark pass without comment.

Back at the house, we all sat around the deck and had nightcaps and the omnipresent joint (except, of course, for Carla. Only soft drinks for her. Thank you, Saint Betty Ford.) We spoke quietly as not to wake the children. Jack said that Andy was entranced by the bus and asked if I might give them a tour in the morning. Amy suggested that I take the bus up to the secret mountaintop retreat to check it out. She thought it might be good place for us to honeymoon on Monday night. I thought that was a perfect idea. We all drifted off to bed feeling great. I spooned Amy and squeezed her tight. I let my hands roam but she pushed me away telling me it was bad luck to screw the bride on the night before the wedding. I told her that once we were married, she'd better not ever hold out on me. "Never, never, never, my love," she said and we drifted off to sweet dreams.

Saturday morning came faster than my dreams could keep up with. The house was bustling early as the kitchen staff was serving breakfasts like room service. Santo was parked under the table cleaning plates and eating scraps. He didn't even notice us as we passed by. Amy and I drifted into the dining room to find Emma, Jack, Mark and Deb in a free flowing conversation. Someone asked me a question and I heard someone else day, "You know better than to talk to him before he has his morning coffee!" It doesn't get truer than that. I walked into the den where Angie and Andy were locked into the morning cartoons. I walked out onto the deck where Carla was already sucking up the rays. I watched the sun dapple the surface of the pool while I slowly sipped my coffee and waited for the caffeine rush.

Walking back into the dining room, Amy patted the chair next to her. As I sat down, I was served a cheese omelet and sausages. Emma told everyone about growing up with "Daddy's Special Cheese Eggies" which was her favorite breakfast. Carla yelled in from the deck, "Mine too!" Finally, the coffee started to work. I said something about replaying last night's party in my dreams. Mark said that he'd done the same, especially the song with Dylan. "What a presence!"

Andy came running in and sat on my knee while we worked on my eggs together. "Grampa, Mommy told me that your bus is really a 'magic bus', could you show it to me today?"

"Sure, buddy. And you know what? I'll take you to a magic place on the very top of a mountain. How does that sound?"

After breakfast, George and Sarah pulled up. Amy had invited Sarah to help her and to hang out. While I gave Jack and Andy the tour, Danny and Kathy pulled in with Linda. Kathy and Linda ran into the house while I showed Andy the upper terrace which he loved. Jack liked all the green features. Elon, Susan and The Begleys pulled in next with Graydon, Annie and Laura right behind. The woman all raced into the house but Annie wanted to hang with us on our trip up to the secret house. I told her that I wouldn't allow any pictures up there but she insisted that she wanted to see the place. She turned to go into the house and asked that we let her know before we leave. Elon, Ed and I inspected the new things that Susan installed like the new water purification system, the improved dog feeding cleaner, the larger driver's module screen, the rear-view color cameras and the new electronics dome on the roof. Andy was right next to me as I checked things out.

"Andy, I have a few more things to show you. Now check this out." I pressed the expansion buttons and the slide-outs opened up. His eyes bugged out. "Now, come with me." I took him outside where I opened the storage bin and swung out the amplifier and mic mixer. "This is when I want to give a concert next to the bus." I showed him the inflatable hot tub. There was a lot of "gee" and "holee." Then I opened the awning and dropped the tent. "This is when Amy and I want some breakfast and there are lots of bugs flying around. But, Andy, I'm saving the best for last. Come with me." I showed him the enviro-shower and he wasn't impressed. "This isn't what I wanted to show you." I took him into the bedroom and I slid the TV up.

"I know about the TV, Grampa, Amy showed it to us yesterday."

"But she didn't show you this. Now sit on the bed and put your head on the pillow." I pressed the buttons to raise the head of the bed. "Cool, huh?"

"Wow, Grampa, very cool. I want to show Angie!" He ran into the house. Jack was discovering the recliner with the hidden desk when the kids ran back in. Andy showed Angie the bed and all we could hear was "cool!".

It was nearly ten now and I wanted to run up to the mountain lodge so I closed the bus up and sent Angie into the house to get Annie. A few minutes later, we were driving up the steep inclines and twisting roads to the summit. When we pulled up to the lodge, I explained about the sacred Native American grounds on the other side of the forest. I explained that Amy had deeded the land to them in perpetuity. We quietly exited the bus and I unlocked the lodge. Clarence and Rose had cleaned it and it looked and smelled wonderful. I needn't tell you how dumbstruck everyone was. I led them out onto the deck and its infinity view. This perfect day with its limitless view of far away snow-capped peaks was truly breathtaking. Below us, eagles and hawks circled. At one point, an eagle swooped up within a hundred yards of us and I watched the jaws drop.

"Now I see why you love this place so much," said Mark. "You will write some outstanding music up here."

"Now I understand why you keep this place secret," George added.

"You know," I said, "when Amy first took me up here, I was only the second person to see this. Now, with all of you, it's no secret anymore. But you'd better not tell a soul!"

Annie and Graydon were talking on the side of the deck and Graydon was shaking his head. "Annie, can you understand why I don't want this place photographed? Why would I want people looking for it or snooping around? Plus, it's a sacred place for Amy..."

"Yes, Davy, I do understand. But...if I could set you up away from the house and hopefully capture you against the sky with an eagle flying by...then I have the picture, I mean, the perfect picture."

"Annie, I can't say no to you. But you have to promise that the picture shows no discernable place, you understand, right?"

"I do, Davy, and you know I love you and I won't fuck with you. Now, just stand over here and look handsome."

We walked out along the side of the house where the mountain peaks rose in the distance. As if on cue, an eagle swooped up and Annie snapped three shots before he was gone. "There, done. The Perfect cover. That didn't hurt, did it?"

We got back into the bus and quietly drove back down to the house. Everybody in the bus was humbled by the place, even Andy. He sat next to me as I drove and he asked about the Native American rites and religious services that were held there. I told him that I really didn't know about them because I had never seen them occur and furthermore, we were not welcome there as it was their private place. George said something about mescaline and peyote buttons.

When we pulled up to the house, there was a sense that the men were not welcome inside so I asked them to follow me to our private lake. We walked through the backyard behind Andy and a very playful Santo. Mark took the opportunity to light a spliff remarking that I needed it. He wasn't wrong. When we got to lake, we sat around the gazebo and talked about the spread. I explained that it was fifty-five acres in total with three streams and a lake. Danny was quite impressed and commented upon how well Amy and I had handled the building purchase in town. He liked the idea of the caretaker's cottage and the security gate saying that it would only increase the value of the place. He also felt that our high-end shopping village would make millions of dollars and was a shrewd use of lousy property. George reminded me that we had to be at the studio in an hour and that we should get back up to the house. I agreed and we all began to walk back. I pulled Jack and Danny to the side.

"Jack, I'm going to be making some changes to arrangements of my estate. Now, Danny is the person who makes all final decisions with me. I trust his advice and counsel like no one else. You know, many of the people you see around you this weekend have all turned to Danny to handle their affairs. He is the man. However, I'm telling you this because I'm going to set up Carla and Emma to operate and decide over my properties. I want to expand the trusts for everyone, especially the children. I want you to work with Danny in developing accounts with your firm. Basically, I want to expand access to each of you to the tune of about twenty-five million dollars a year." Jack's jaw dropped. "But you must understand...Danny is your guide. Trust everything this man tells you and follow his advice. When you get back to New York, Danny will arrange a meeting with all of you and help you to sort out my wishes. What is the purpose of waiting until I'm dead? Let's enjoy all this money today. Right, Danny?"

"Right, Davy. I promise that I'll make it easy and that everyone will be very happy."

"Davy, I don't know what to say."

"Look, Jack, just stay married to my Emma and do right by her and the kids and you'll have said it all...and just make sure there's room for Amy and me in East Hampton come August. I promised Jimmy I'd play at his benefit."

The house was bustling with chattering women. The staff was serving lunch. We had about a half hour before we left to go to the studio. It was past noon so I opened the bar and started serving up short ones. Soon, it was time to go. Since there was no place to park Big Chocolate, I suggested we pile into cars. Mark, Stevie and I piled our gear into the back of the Escape and Danny and George piled into the back. Comments about the car flew as I drove - everyone had seen the commercials. Danny commented that he thought Jack, who was following in the Jag, might have shit himself during our talk. George said he nearly shit himself when the eagle did a loop-de-loop in front of us. Passing a joint around the car helps conversation flow...at least, sometimes, anyway.

We pulled up to the Studio where our guests were crowded around and shooting the shit. As soon as I got out of the car, Shadow and Van Dyke pulled me aside. "Davy, my friend, everything is well and under control. Jamie and his people should have the studio set up in a few minutes. Now, if it's all right with you, Mr. Parks and I would like to run these two songs. We both know how you like to record and we want to do this around you. The first song we want to do is "Domesticity." Now Van really liked the autoharp and violin combination that you did last night so I'll turn this over to him."

"Davy, here it is. Gadd on drums and Hillman on bass. Mark and Stevie. I have a piano bottom I'd like to add under your guitar. I'd like you and Bob to swap some lines. Basically, Bob sings with you on the chorus and then you and he swap the lines, "With a sturdy wooden floor/And a solid wooden door/And a table with fresh baked bread/Made with five different types of grain" and sing the last line together. When we have that down, Graham wrote a counter-melody harmony part with David and Jackson. Linda floats over that. It's sort of reminiscent of "Our House" and it's pretty. What do you think?"

"I'm in your hands, Van. Let's do it."

The players congregated in the studio and we went over the music for about fifteen minutes. We nailed it in two takes. I remarked that it looked so good to have Shadow behind the glass again and everyone nodded. Bob and I recorded the vocal in two takes. On the second take, we were both having so much fun, you could hear the giggle in our voices as we nailed the verse. Then Van conducted the singers in their harmony part and that took three more takes before everyone was satisfied. It was a wonderful addition to the song: "There's an ottoman for my feet, there's a soft cushion for my seat, there's a fireplace throwing heat, There's a glass of cognac neat, Ain't this life sweet." As the counter-melody ends, it meets Mark's violin florish and Stevie's arpeggio chord. Sweet.

I called everyone in and we gave it a listen. It was good. I knew it, everyone else did, too. It brought a knowing smile to your face. Bob and I nodded to each other. It worked.

Shadow smiled at the response. He cleared his throat. "Now as long as I have you all together, I want to talk about "Big Chocolate". This is going to be a Shadow Morton production. I mean, full widescreen. I been thinking about this all night. Now I want to make this sound like there's a huge party going on inside this bus, like the bus is three hundred feet long and fifty feet wide. Everybody is on this song and I don't mean just the chorus. After we get the track down, I'll lead you all through your lines. When we're done, Jamie, Jackson, Jimmy and I are going to do a little magic. Okay? You got me? I need Gadd, Hillman, Crosby, Parks, Chuck D, you're on congas...Stevie, Mark,...where's Lukather? Begley? Give Begley the tambourine...Okay good, everybody else get out of here."

Mark showed everyone the rhythm and how the song drives like the wheels on a road. Steve laid down a beat that was reminiscent of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", sort of a loping steady roll of a trotting horse or maybe a slow train. Then we laid it down - three takes and done. Shadow had me add a tracking vocal. Then he kicked me out. Over the next hour or so, he called in different people to do their parts. All of sat outside and smoked joints, cigarettes and cigars, we drank thick shakes courtesy of the ice cream shoppe and talked about the tour. I was advised not to smoke anymore dope or Amy could claim that I was stoned when we got married and have it annulled. Not bloody likely. I posited that she might be smoking a joint too and therefore it would be a double negative. The street traffic was stunned by all the famous faces hanging out and several times we were too busy signing autographs to hear Shadow call for us. I also noticed that Laura was flirting a lot with Tim, Jamie's right hand and studio manager. I'd noticed earlier that he was a pretty good guitar tech. Finally, it was done. Shadow asked me to come in and sing the song again, this time like I meant it. Then he told us to get lost, to go to a restaurant and he'd send a runner over to get us when they were finished.

I led everyone over to the hotel where Stevie had all sorts of finger food served. About forty-five minutes later, Tim came in and announced that it was ready. We walked back into the studio and Shadow asked us to put our seatbelts on.

It started with the sound of a quiet humming diesel going down the road as the band kicked in and faded up. There were sounds of glasses clinking, people laughing and a fairly wild party going on. My voice came up.

"Got a full house, rolling down the street Got my baby right beside me, our dog under her feet Got my buddy and his fiddle by his side (an O'Flannery flourish), Got his missus looking sweet.

Then the voices began to take lines.

Got an upstairs terrace (Shadow), got a dumbwaiter, too (Danny), Got a shower with a lot of heads, to hit you where want them to (Chuck D), Got solar heated water (Van Dyke) and a cold box full of brew (Jimmy).

Everybody, in a raucous chorale:

Big Chocolate keeps rolling, Big Chocolate keeps rocking, Big Chocolate keeps reeking, Big Chocolate keeps going and going and going and going...

Got a tilty bed (Andy) and big TV screens (Jack), Got a clothing dryer and a washing machine (Linda), Got a toilet that flushes into a compost machine (Ed).

Runs on diesel, lithium and solar cells (Elon), With a smaller footprint (Graham), it's green to the extreme (David), With all the extras, whistles and bells (Jackson), It's the travelers' motorized traveling dream (George). It's Davy (me), Elon (Elon) and Ed's (Ed) Big Chocolate Supreme (the three of us).

Now me alone.

Got a full house, rolling down the street Got my baby right beside me, Santo's under her feet Got my buddy and his fiddle (another O'Flannery flourish), Got his missus looking sweet. And when I pull out my guitar, and light up a cigar (Bob), everything's complete.

Big Chocolate keeps rolling, Big Chocolate keeps rocking, Big Chocolate keeps reeking, Big Chocolate keeps us going and going and going....easygoing and going and going and gone."

The track ends with the music fading down, the party fading down and the sound of the diesel moving down the road. Over the sound of the diesel, you can hear the "click-click-click" of Annie snapping pictures. Graydon says, "That'll work if we crop it a little." Annie replies in the fade out, "Crop it! My ass! Crop this!"

We were screaming when it ended. I mean rolling on the floor laughing and screaming. Jamie handed out CDs with printed labels to everyone, I told Shadow that Amy, Deb and Santo were going to want to get in there, too. Jamie said that Shadow assumed that and he'd left spots to add more voices on the master. There was a lot of high-fives and Ed was out-of-his-mind happy. But damn, it worked. It was funny and we all had a blast cutting it. And it worked!

It was almost five by the time I settled with Jamie and we were on our way back. We drove slowly so we could suck up the roaches. Andy had already raced into the house with his copy of the CD when we got there. "Domesticity" was ending to a round of applause as we walked in. Then "Big Chocolate" came on and by the time it ended, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. First, Emma led a rousing cheer for Andy, who was beaming. I told Amy, Deb, Sally, Emma, Carla and Angie that on Monday, we'd go down to the studio and add their voices as well as a Santo bark. That seemed to mollify them, especially Angie. I took her around and told her that I didn't forget about her and that I saved a place especially for her. Throughout the whole thing, Amy just shook her head.

I was punchy. I asked Amy if I could take a half-hour nap. Since we had until eight-thirty, she said I could have an hour but I couldn't have the bedroom so Mark and I fell out in his bed. Forty-five minutes later, I got my shaving kit and my clothes from the bedroom and brought them back to Mark's room. This turned out to be a smart move as Deb used our room to dress as well as help Amy, as if she needed any help. But, you know, this is what they all do, fussing with brides.

It really took me no time to shower, shave and dress. In fact, I think Mark, Stevie and I spent more time taking bong hits. I must admit, I did look pretty sharp in my Nudie suit, open collar and new boots. I was tempted to wear my cowboy hat but I just couldn't bring myself to go there, although the boys egged me on. At eight, the chauffered Rolls-Royce pulled up. It was a classic old Silver Cloud and it looked neat. I knocked on the bedroom door and Amy stepped out, radiant in a light pink gown and knock-out red lips. Damn if she didn't look spectacular. I handed her a bouquet of pink roses and lilacs. She attached a boutonniere to my collar. Our friends and family all looked beautiful and applauded us as we slowly walked to the limo. Amy asked me to make sure I walked slowly as it was years since she'd worn high heels. Fortunately, she packed a bag with flats so she could dance. I wanted so to kiss her but I didn't dare to mess with her make-up.

We led a caravan to the Inn. She babbled a lot and I teased her for being nervous. We talked about the afternoon's recording party and she said that listening to the tracks, it was obvious we had a blast. She really, really loved "Domesticity" and she suggested a harmony part she wanted to add under Linda. I agreed with everything she said, whatever she said. A few minutes later, we pulled up to the Inn and she ran off to the Bride's Room but not before the E.T. cameras caught her in flight. I spent five minutes with them and it was a funny five minutes as Jimmy, Jackson, Chuck and Mark kept interrupting and mugging for the camera.

I greeted our guests as they filled the cocktail room. I made sure to ask Stevie if he had the rings and he assured me that he did. Stan and Nancy were playing and they had added Jimmy Ibbotson on mandolin. It was a very mellow sound. Rabbi Mintz asked that I meet Amy in the office to sign the marriage license. Stevie and Sally joined us as our witnesses. Finally, it was time to get married. I looked in Amy's eyes and told her that all my life I'd waited for this moment, that I loved her beyond any love I'd ever dreamed about, that I would love her forever and beyond that, too. She told me that she was going to cry and it would fuck up her make-up so I should just cut it out and save it for later. We laughed and headed toward the chapel.

As Stan and Nancy played, Angie walked in first, all pink and girlie. She tossed flower petals as she walked and her smile was ear to ear. Listening to our guests "ooh" and "ah" just made her smile wider. Andy was next. He had Santo on the leash as they strolled down the aisle. Santo was wearing a white shirt collar with a black bow-tie. He seemed to be laughing as Andy led him to the front row. Stan and Nancy began to play "Here, There and Everywhere" as I requested. I was next with my daughters on either side. They left me as I walked to the chupah. Stevie and Sally escorted Amy down the aisle, Gasps filled the room as she proudly walked, beautiful, stunning woman that she is. I noticed that Annie was snapping away and I was glad that these photographs would be special. As they approached the chupah, Stevie came up to my side and Sally walked to the opposite side. I turned and took my bride's hand as we stood before the rabbi.

I don't remember very much of what happened next, it's all a blur. I remember turning to Stevie for the rings and him going through his pockets and not finding them. He dramatically snapped his fingers and ran over to Santo, who had them tucked in his collar. This brought great laughter. I remember us exchanging vows and placing the rings on our fingers. I remember crushing the glass. And I remember the Rabbi saying, "By the power vested in me by the State of Colorado, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Feeling our lips meet and feeling the glow surrounding us is a moment I shall cherish forever. And what a sweet kiss it was, too.

We turned to see our friends standing and cheering. Handkerchiefs were daubing eyes and everyone was beaming and shaking our hands. Annie was snapping away in front of us. It was all such a blur. I can sing before ten thousand people easier than I get married, that's for sure. I think I can still feel my cheeks stretched out from my wide shit-eating grin.

Annie pulled us to the side to take a portrait and then surrounded us with our wedding party and then our extended wedding party. Annie let E.T. film it, too. Santo sat happily in every shot, except the portrait, of course. Then we waited to be announced into the ballroom. Amy changed into her flats. I looked at Amy and asked, "Are you happy now, Mrs. Harper...making an honest man out of me?"

"And what about me? Now I'm an honest woman...and honestly, I want to fuck you silly...right now! Let's split this scene and get a room. I have connections."

I heard a voice introduce us as "Mr. and Mrs. Davy Harper" and the big doors opened. We entered to a very joyous party. Walking to the center of the dance floor, we were surrounded by everyone, shaking our hands and hugging us. I can tell you, there was a lot of love in that room. Much later, Amy and I agreed that it was one of the most unforgettably jubilant moments ever. It definitely was. Mark hit the bandstand and he and Nancy duetted on "Oh, How We Danced On The Night We Were Wed" which was Amy's choice reflecting an old family tradition. We waltzed around the room until people broke in on us. I whirled around the room with Emma, then Carla, then Angie, then Deb and finally Sally. Finally, we sat down at our table surrounded by the same friends and family. I told Angie that she was the prettiest flower girl I'd ever seen. Stevie stood up to make a toast and the room hushed, clinking their champagne classes with spoons.

"Welcome, friends. Davy and I met when we were eighteen and selected to share a dorm room at college. He's been my best friend and my inspiration ever since. Sally and I met a few months later and Davy was the Best Man at our wedding a few years later. Sally and I met Amy when she was a young woman fresh out of college looking for a summer job as a waitress in our first restaurant. She's been our best friend ever since. So we all go way back, if you know what I mean. It was not luck that brought these two together, it was Sally and me. We knew that Davy had driven his little camper across the country to meet the woman who would become the love of his life. We also knew that Amy, sitting alone in her mansion on the hill, was waiting for her Prince Charming, her Rock Star, to sweep her away. From the moment these two met, I knew that one day soon I'd be making this toast. So, here's to my best friends, to people I dearly love, and to the greatest love any of us have ever witnessed, let's wish the best of everything to Amy and Davy Harper!"

A roar went up and champagne glasses were raised. Amy and I blushed and kissed each other. We then got up and kissed Stevie and then Sally. Then the party started for real. Everything was perfect...the food...the music...the dancing...the camaraderie. All through the night (and, I might add, as the liquor flowed), there were more toasts. Danny spoke about meeting me in 1972 and how I became his first client. He thanked me for making him very rich and looked forward to many more big paydays. Mark toasted me calling me an artistic inspiration and with Amy, for making his own marriage to Deb more meaningful. Jimmy made a toast about how I taught him to get high like a true rock star and to still be able to finish a song. He concluded by saying, "Now that's a pro." Linda got up and made a toast to Amy saying that singing with her is as natural as singing can be, that she had the voice, the phrasing and the smarts of a seasoned pro and finally, that she'd be glad to harmonize with us anytime. Amy was blushing and she whispered to me that Linda was full of shit. Bob got up and said how he's always envied my ability to knock out a song and tell a story as if I was telling a story to my friends. He said that while he always suffered through his creations, it came easy to me. He repeated the line about sometimes when he was stuck, he'd think of me and how I would say it. I leaned over to Amy and whispered how full of shit he was.

Damn, I nearly forgot this moment. As Amy and I moved from table to table, I was stopped cold. Sitting at the table next to Bob was my very dear old friend, Allen Toussaint. I had no idea he was there, let alone even knew about the wedding.

"Allen!" I held my face in my hands. "Amy, meet one of my oldest and dearest friends, Allen Toussaint!"

"Amy, very pleased to meet you, my dear. You are a truly beautiful bride and, I understand, the perfect partner to this good man. I saw Mark in New Orleans and he told me about this happy occasion. When I went back up to New York, I bumped into Danny and he told me about it, too. He asked me to come and surprise you and as long as I was on my way west to record, I took a little detour and I am pleasantly happy I did. I got here just as you were walking down the aisle. Your bride is simply ravishing, Davy. You have done well for yourself. Bob and I were just talking about the "Breadbasket" tour. I'll be one the bill in New York, Washington, New Orleans and St. Louis and I can't wait for us to play together again. This is a real thrill. Thank you for having me."

"Allen, can I sing with your backup band? That's like a dream for me."

"Can you? Please. Davy, it will be like old times. How wonderful!"

Shadow approached the table. "Is there someone here as old as me? Allen, how are you, my friend?"

"George Morton, you old devil. Bob was telling me that you produced a track today and it was a good old fashioned Shadow Morton production. I must hear it!"

I excused myself and ran over to Jamie who'd brought a few more copies. He asked me if it was rude to ask for autographs and I told him not at all, everyone was doing it, even the big stars. In fact, Angie and Andy took it upon themselves to go around the room and collect the signatures of every guest into two books, one for them and one for us. Someone asked Andy if he even knew who the autographs represented and Andy responded, "If you're friends of my Grampa Davy, you must be okay." What a kid.

I returned to the table and handed Allen a CD. I also told him that I would ask Danny to send him some of the other new stuff. I love that man and could have sat there for hours but Amy pulled me away to move around the room. Wow! And I nearly forgot to tell you about that!

Everyone mingles. Carla and George chatted up a storm. Emma and Linda were laughing. Chuck and Allen were doing the same. It was one helluva great scene. During the night, people went out to the lobby to be interviewed by E.T. Graydon told me that the party pictures would be in the next Vanity Fair in the Fairground section and that he scheduled the profile for the July edition.

Throughout the night, different people got up to sing a song. For my money, when Linda brought Amy up and they harmonized on "Blue Bayou", that was the highlight of the night. They truly brought down the house. Another highlight was when Mark, Jackson, David and I played "Soggy Mountain Boys" to George on "Man of Constant Sorrow." That was killer, especially when we did that hokey country dance with our elbows out. I also loved it when David and Graham led everyone in "Music Is Love"

Everybody's saying music is love, Everybody's saying it's you know it is, mmm Everyone, yes everyone, Everyone's saying music, music is love.

Put on your colors and run come see, Everybody says that music's for free, Take off your clothes and lie in the sun, Everybody says that music's for fun, yeah."

Allen came up and played "In Your Love" which had every musician in the room drooling. The crowd demanded another one and he played a soulful version of "All These Things". You could hear the hum of singers around the room. Jackson and Linda did an awesome version of "Rock Me On The Water' and Jimmy killed everyone with "Volcano" that started a conga line around the room while he vamped. Seeing Bob Dylan on a conga line is truly worth the price of admission.

"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know where I'm a-gonna go, When the Volcano blows."

After the song, Jimmy came over to tell me that he'd picked up a vibe from our dear lamented friend, Steve Goodman. He said he could feel Steve smiling and cracking wise in Heaven. I liked the image and could see him sitting next to my bubbie, both looking down with satisfaction.

Toward the end of the night, they dragged me up to the stage and I sang "In The Key Of Me" changing some of the lyrics as I went along.

"If I am circling with the eagles high up in the air, I know I'm there, If I'm in the tub with Amy, all naked and bare, I know I'm there, If I'm at George's Woody Creek Tavern eating fish tacos, medium rare, I know I'm there, There must be something in Sally's water, I think you'll agree, Something that makes Emma and Carla so happy and free, And that something is In The Key of Me."

After the song, I thanked everyone for finding the time to come to our quickie wedding and I hoped they had a great time. If they needed a place to hide out, they were always welcome in our home. I told them that soon we'd be on the road, doing our thing to help put food in the mouths of those in need, that we'd be doing God's work with the gifts that God gave us. Plus we were going to have fun. I knew that many people would be flying out in the morning and I wished them a safe flight.

And Santo? Santo wandered around the room accepting tid-bits from everyone. He sat with Graydon and Bob and let them pet him. He let Andy take him for a walk. In fact, he went for several walks as different groups went out for some, shall we say, air. Finally, he fell asleep under our table as Amy and I tickled him with our toes.

A question came up as to whether Amy should toss her bouquet. It was decided that she should but in order not to embarrass the few single women present, she tossed it to Angie. Naturally, Angie was overjoyed.

George and Sarah came over and insisted that when the tour was over, we meet them at his castle on Lake Como. It was truly a great offer and I assured him that we would. He made us both promise. And, you know what, we'll take him up on it!

I wish that I could describe more of our wedding to you but much of it is so vague. What I remember is happy people and happy faces. Especially on Amy and me.

The party ended at about 2:30 and it was another hour before we returned home. I carried her over the threshold. When we finally crawled into our bed. We wrapped around each other and tenderly kissed.

"You were the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. You were a portrait. My favorite part of you tonight were your lips. When I first saw you open the bedroom door and I saw your lips so full and red, I wanted to worship you right then and there. When we said our "I do's" and I saw your lips mouth those words, I wanted to squeeze you so hard. When I saw you looking at me during Stevie's toast, your lips looked as though they were spotlit. It was your lips that overwhelmed me tonight. I love you, Amy, and I will love you forever and ever and ever and after that."

We tenderly kissed again. "For me, it was your open collar. You looked so masculine to me...you looked like you wanted to throw me over your shoulder like a caveman and carry me away. You know, I've never told you this but on that first day we met. when I drove up to the house and I saw you getting stuff out of your RV, you had me before you ever said a word. You looked like one of your album covers. You know the one where you're standing on a corner in New York City and people are moving around you, and they're all out of focus and blurry...except you? You have your guitar slung over your back and your hands in your pockets and it's like the whole world is hurrying somewhere but you're right where you're supposed to be. That's what went through my head as I got out of the car. The next day, Sally asked me how I liked you and I told her that I had a feeling that one day I would be Mrs. Harper. And now I am. I've never felt more rock solid in my life and I love being Mrs. Harper. And I love you."

We kissed ever so lovingly. We touched and caressed each other like one touches silk. Her breasts pushed against my chest and her nipples were on fire, all hard and erect. She swung her leg over my hip and I slipped inside her. As we slowly rocked, we kissed and murmured little "I love you" nibbles on each others ears. Our sex was slow, caring and deeply intimate. It was as though we were floating on a waterbed and we were rocking in sync. My arm was around her and I pulled her even closer to me so our hearts could beat together. I was lost in her and completely unconcerned about her flesh on mine. We were into each other's minds and there we made ferocious love. When my penis began to spurt inside of her, it took us both by surprise. What surprised me even more was that I didn't soften, My erection seemed glued with in her as if she willed it. We stayed rocking slowly and continues like this for a long time as our tongues waltzed. I felt her labia flutter and she gripped me tightly. Her breasts rose and fell, her nipples burning holes into me. Her breathing quickened and her tongue whipped around mine. Her labia fluttered again and she pushed her vagina down onto my stomach. Her tush humped me a few times and then her juices bathed me and dripped down my balls. She continued to flood me as though a dam was opened. The room filled with the scent of her as we clung to each other.

"That was magical sex, my love. That was pure love sex."

"Oh, honey, it certainly was. We are very plugged in. You came and didn't get soft, I came and flooded the bed and I don't think we ever moved more that an inch. Our brains came...our bodies were just there. I think we just took each other's 'mental cherry.'"

"Yes, you're right. I think that's what happened. I can't believe how many different ways we can experience the same act and make it new again."

"Isn't it amazing? And you're still hard!"

"But I don't want you to move. I think if we go to sleep, we'll make love in our dreams and cum all night long."

"Yes, all night long forever."

We both yawned together and closing our eyes, fell blissfully asleep, as happy as newlyweds can be. As I predicted, our dreams made love. I know this to be true because at some point deep in the night, I dreamed I was coming. I awoke to find that I'd just cum all over her vagina. She giggled when she saw my eyes flutter open.

"We both came in our dreams, just like you predicted. It was wonderful, sort of, but I wish I was there."

"I know what you mean. I dreamed I was cumming and when I awoke to discover that I had, I kind of felt gypped. Still, that was about as wet a wet dream as you can have."

"What were we doing in your dream?"

"We weren't doing anything. I was dreaming of your red, red, oh-so-red, lips."

"I like that. But right now, I feel so sticky...crazy glue sticky."

"Than let me bathe you, my love." I crawled down to her sticky stomach and licked our cum off. I did not miss a spot. I cleaned out her navel. I cleaned her thighs and the insides along her puss. Then I cleaned her puss and swallowed globs of my cum. She began to flow again and tremble ever so subtly. I sucked her vagina into my mouth from her clit down to her hole. My reward was her musk filling my nostrils and her nectar pouring down my throat.

I crawled my way back to kiss her and again we hugged each other. She nestled into my chest and soon we were once more asleep. We slept a deep and comforting sleep. We slept late into the morning. The house was unusually quiet and I crept out to see where everyone was. There was a note on the kitchen table that said that Stevie and Sally had picked everyone up to take them on a tour so we could enjoy our honeymoon. It said that they would be back later in the afternoon and that we should enjoy ourselves. Even Santo was gone. How nice of them to do that. I made some coffee and brought in a tray with warm croissants and jam and placed it on the bed. I put the note on the tray for Amy to read. I went and got my Martin.

"My love, I woke up with this in my head. I'm calling it "Our Private Road".

"We travel on our private road, We share our personal private code, We pass this way and then we're gone, No one travels the road we're on.

No traffic runs on our freeway, It's ours to run, no tolls to pay, We pass this way and then we're gone, No one travels the road we're on.

We just go our way off the beaten track, I'm there for you and you've got my back, Just matters who we are and that we sync, That's just who we are and it's how we think.

It's our path, this one we make With our love, we give and take It's true and pure, it will not shake I trust in you and that will never break.

We travel on our private road, We share our personal private code, We pass this way and then we're gone, No one travels the road we're on."

"Oh. Davy. I just love it. That is so pretty...and you sang it so nicely...so sweet."

"Do you think it needs something more? I kind of feel that there's something missing."

"No, hon. I think it's perfect just the way it is. I just love it like that. It says who we are. Sing some more to me...serenade me."

"Okay. Here's a real obscure Dylan song. It's called "To Make You Feel My Love."

"When the rain is blowing in your face, And the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace, To make you feel my love...

...I'd go hungry, I'd go blind for you, I'd go crawling down the avenue, There is nothing that I wouldn't do, To make you feel my love...

...I could make you happy, Make your dreams come true, There is nothing that I wouldn't do, Go to the ends of the earth for you, To make you feel my love, To make you feel my love, To make you feel my love."

"Oh, my. Whew!" She fanned herself. "That song is a killer. I would love to sing that one. Will you get me the words? I mean it, Davy. You just knocked me out with that one. Oh that Bob. That's a killer!"

"Yeah. It certainly is. I'd love to hear you sing it. We'll have to work it up. Here, how 'bout this one...it's an old Al Kooper song."

"If I ever leave you, You can say I told you so, And if I ever hurt you babe, You know I hurt myself as well.

Is that any way for a man to carry on, Do you think he wants his little loved one gone? I love you, Baby, more than you'll ever know, More than you'll ever know...

...I'm not trying to be just any kind of man I'm trying to be somebody you can love, trust, and understand I know that I can be, a part of you that no one else could see I just gotta hear, to hear you say It's all right! yeah, yeah, yeah!

I'm only flesh and blood, But I can be anything that you demand, I could be president of General Motors, baby, or just a tiny grain of sand...

...Is that any way for a man to carry on, Do you think he wants his little loved one gone? I love you, Baby, more than you'll ever know, More than you'll ever know. If you don't know, then I'll tell you one more time I love you! I love you! I love you so much more than you'll ever know."

"Oh, Davy, you did it to me again. That song is the absolute IT! Whew!"

"I got a million of 'em, baby."

"Well save them up and sing me one every day. But right now, you have me soaking wet and I have to jump your bones, now put that guitar down and take this tray off the bed and get over here, my husband!"

Jump my bones she did indeed. She was ferocious. And she made me laugh, too. As she bounced on me, she sang the Dylan song. As she blew me, she hummed it. We lay together happy as larks. We talked about the party and tried to recall the details. Between the two of us, we were able to piece together a somewhat linear scenario. I'm sure that when Annie sends us the pictures, much more will come back to us. And speaking of that, who has Annie Liebovitz do their wedding album?

"Davy, you have to turn me on to Allen Toussaint. He was very sweet last night...a very classy gentleman and it seemed to me that everyone was in awe of him."

"Yup. Allen is a consummate artist and producer. So many songs..." I rattled off a bunch. "I covered one of his songs on my second album..."A Certain Girl"..."There's a certain girl I've been in love with for a long long time (What's her name?) I can't tell you! (Awww!)."

"Oh, sure, I remember."

I drank my coffee and we nibbled on the croissants. We showered together and were dressed just before our family returned with Santo in the lead wagging his tail.

"Dad, that Sally is a pistol!"

"She's everything you described, Amy," said Deb.

"Did you all have fun?"

"Yes we did. And Angie and Andy even saw an elk!"

Surprisingly, no one asked us if we'd had fun but Mark and Deb gave us a knowing look. Sally gave me an elbow in the ribs. I gave them both the thumbs up.

"Most everyone has gone but we bumped into a few stragglers in town and they might come by. Elon and Susan...Laura...Jimmy, Chuck and Bob...Danny and Kathy..."

We sat around talking about the affair and listened as they recalled things that had gone right by us. Carla was thrilled to see Shadow again. She has a special place in her heart for Shadow as it was he who helped to get her into Betty Ford. Emma couldn't believe that George and I are BFF. The phone rang several times. It was our friends asking if they could come by. Soon the house was again filled with warmth.

"Mark, Davy wrote a beauty this morning. You must hear it. Play it for him, Davy."

Mark got out his violin, Stevie got his autoharp and I played "Our Private Road" which brought wistful smiles to everyone. I went to Amy's computer and found the lyrics to Bob's song. We worked up an arrangement and Amy sang it a million times better than I ever could. Bob was very pleased. He'd really liked Amy's "Talk Dirty To Me" and was honored that she would add his song to her repertoire. Amy told him that when I sang to her, she was totally blown away. For a couple of hours, we had a little hootenanny going on as my guitar and my uke passed from hand to hand.

Amy suggested that we go down to the hotel for dinner and called over to see if they could handle us. Instead, they insisted on coming up to the house to bring dinner to the boss. About an hour later, a couple of trucks pulled up with smokers and grills and we had a mighty fine dinner served up out in the backyard.

At one point, I asked Amy if Bob and I could disappear for a few minutes and she was okay with that. Bob and I hopped into the Escape and I drove him up to the secret house.

"Bob, I took you up here to show you this place. I have a dream that one day, you and I might come up here and write some stuff together."

"Davy, this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet...bar none. Maybe between tour stops, we can sneak away."

We stood on the deck and watched the afternoon fade. Bob looked at me and said, "When the afternoon is aging and the clouds are filigree, there's a good woman waiting on a mountaintop for me."

I looked at him and said, "She's my rock upon a pile of rocks, she's as solid as a tree, she's a mighty fine woman and she's waiting there for me."

We laughed and slapped each other's backs. "We can do this."

We drove back down the mountain and were in the backyard before anyone even noticed we were gone. Danny and I had the opportunity to talk business for a few minutes. Danny told me that my ex had become somewhat goofy in the last few days. She even threatened to fly in and make a scene but both Emma and Carla put a stop to her bullshit. Danny said he's tried to reason with her but that she was too busy hurling obscenities at him to listen. I found this very odd. I mean, she'd abandoned me and literally destroyed me in the divorce. What could possibly make her think I would care about her at all or that I would give her more money? I chalked it up to fucking hormones and bad genes. Whatever. At around ten, we gave our friends their final kisses and saw them off. I sat around for a few minutes with Jack and Mark and when I entered our bedroom, Amy was out cold, truly dead to the world and even lightly snoring. When I snuggled up next to her, she didn't budge.

Monday saw most everyone gone. Laura was staying for a couple of days longer as she liked the writing atmosphere and wanted to stay through the Los Lobos gig. Mark and Deb were going to hang out until Wednesday morning when they had to catch a flight to Chicago for a Hot Jazz gig. Carla had to fly out late Tuesday as she had a meeting with her editor in San Francisco. Emma and her tribe were camping out at our house until after the Los Lobos gig, too, but since Jack had his RV license, I was going to let them take Big Chocolate for a two-day camping trip just south of Aspen on Grizzly Reservoir. This could be a good adventure for the family and the kids really wanted to take Santo along. Amy and I planned to sleep the night on the mountain.

I called Jamie and asked if I could have some time to add some voices to the tracks and he booked me in at two. He said he couldn't be there for some personal issues he had to deal with but his manager, Tim, would handle everything. I called Sally to make sure she would be there. I checked the email to find lots of congratulatory and several "sorry we couldn't be there" messages. I spent much of the morning watching the "Who Killed Roger Rabbit" DVD with my grandchildren under my arms ("Aw, she's not really bad, she's just drawn that way!").

We hauled over to the studio and I found placed for all the voices. Tim handled the session and I was impressed by his work ethic and his expertise. He was very good. I also noticed that several times he and Laura were making goo-goo eyes at each other. First, I added Sally wailing away on "Sally Take A Ride" during the fade out. I had Amy, Deb, Emma, Sally and Laura add hoots and hollers into the background party sounds. I had Amy add "That's me!" whenever I sang "Got my baby right beside me" and I had Deb add "And that's me!" whenever the line "Got his missus looking sweet" came around. I had Angie say "I wanna watch something now! My turn!" after Andy's line about the TV. Emma and Carla sang half of the line that Chuck D had sung. I got them to harmonize on "Got a shower with a lot of heads" and then giggle as Chuck came in. It sounded great. Finally, on the fade out I had Laura say, "Articles done and no edits!" just before Graydon says the line about cropping. Finally, I got Santo to bark a few times. "Big Chocolate" was done to a turn.

Amy added a harmony part to Linda's floating part in "Domesticity" and their two voices together really added a deeper texture to both the sound and the meaning of the song. Amy has such good instincts.

Since we'd done so much so quickly, I decided to try a couple more. I asked Stevie and Mark to get out their instruments and the three of us recorded a demo of "Poor Man" in two takes. Next, we added a backing track of "To Make You Feel My Love." Then I added a tracking vocal for Amy to use as a guide. I gave her the words, dimmed the lights down in the studio and let her sing. Her first take was fine and I wanted to keep it but she insisted on doing it again. She was right. On the second take, she nailed it adding a expressiveness to her voice that sounded honest and real, almost conversational. I was beside myself bursting with pride as she finished the take smiling. During the mixdown, Tim had an idea. On the very last verse, he brought up my tracking vocal so that we sang the last verse together. Before I could comment upon it, everyone in the studio went "Awww" and Deb had tears running down her cheeks. What I could I possibly say after that kind of endorsement except "That's a wrap." Laura stayed at the studio and the reason was obvious - Tim. On the way home, Amy suggested that we add a CD with the track to all our Thank You notes.

Amy and I packed a bag and put together some food for the night. I gave Jack a once over on the bus and let him drive me around for a few minutes so I could be sure that he could handle it. I printed out a Google map for him to find the campgrounds but it was a fairly simple route. I left the keys to the Escape of the kitchen table. We spread our kisses around and took off up the mountain in the Jag.

The mountaintop was utterly serene when we parked. Some deer scampered away from the shrubbery and leapt into the woods. We unpacked our stuff and took a walk, this time on the other side of the house away from the sacred grounds. Amy led me through a winding path that had probably been the ancient way to the native grounds. I wondered how old the path was and looked down as I walked seeking artifacts, like I did when I was a kid. The path forked near a small stream and she led me to the right where the forest opened into a small clearing on the edge of the mountain. A stone outcropping loomed high and appeared to have rudimentary series of steps which ended on a large flat stone table. The table was about one hundred feet or so around. We lay on our stomachs and looked over the edge straight down thousands of feet just like at the Grand Canyon Skywalk. This outcropping was the pinnacle of a shear cliff. Far below was a pool of glistening blue water that reflected the clouds above us. As you looked out straight ahead, you could see snow-capped mountains behind mountains behind more mountains. Off in the distance, the hills opened into fields and meadows. Amy pointed toward a speck off in the distance. "That's the roof of our house," she said. "You can see a bit of the pool toward the side and the big backyard. You can follow the backyard to where the hill comes down and you can't see the lake because the hill and the forest on the other side is blocking the view." I saw exactly what she was describing. She ran a large circle around the house showing me where the property line was. Fuck, that was a lot of land. I noticed some action at the top of a tree just off to the left and I pointed it out to her. Just then an eagle swooped out and soared over our heads. There was an aerie located in that tree. Moments later, another eagle, somewhat smaller flew out after the first. They met up and swooped together flying downward in formation. "It must be feeding time," I commented. We lay there on the table rock for what seemed to be eternity but was probably no more than a half hour. Except for the occasional bird cries, there was no sound at all and we were utterly at peace.

"I came here once to meditate but the beauty of this spot was too distracting. My mind couldn't focus. There was too much power to take in."

I understood completely. Even now, as the day was still and it might be easy to clear one's head, it was exhilarating to be here and there was too much adrenalin flowing to calm yourself. I took Amy's hand and pulled her up. We stood in the center of the table rock on the top of the world. I felt uneasy, almost as an interloper as we walked to the rock path and made our way down into the clearing. My head ached and I felt somewhat overwhelmed. I was glad when we got back to the lodge and could take some ibuprofen. Amy massaged my temples and my eyes but I could not sleep. I wasn't tired, I was frazzled.

"I know what you need right now. You need some medicinal cannabis. You need to slow down. I think the excitement of the last few days has caught up to you. I know that I was feeling a bit like this last night and conking out the way I did helped me. Right now, I'm going to concentrate on you, my love. She lit one of our stronger assets and passed it to me. I took a deep drag and held it in, exhaling slowly. We passed it back and forth and after a few more hits, I could feel my body sinking into the couch, or maybe it was the couch sucking me into the cushions. I was slowing down. I put my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes. I don't know if I slept but if I did, it wasn't for very long. But I felt better and that's what was important.

"Davy, are you feeling better?"

"Yes, my love."

"Good. Let's try to meditate for a few minutes. Can you do that?"

"Sure. I can do that now. It's a good idea. If I'm not centered yet, that will do it."

We sat down on the floor and faced the windows. The sky was getting dark and there was nothing visually to focus on except our reflections in the glass. We began to breathe in unison until our breathing slowed. At first, my mind seemed lazy and not willing to clear itself but after a few minutes, I began to glaze over. My brain was repeating my mantra until it began to take it's own rhythm and integrate with my pulse. I left myself and felt the drift. I let go. I surrendered.

I must have been in some deep state when it occurred to me that Amy was whispering in my ear, "Mr. Harper. Mr. Davy Harper...my soulmate, my lover...come back, Mr. Harper..." I came around and smiled at her smiling face. "Well, Mahavishnu, go wash you face. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

She had candles burning on the deck table and I sat down to a wonderful meal. We toasted each other with a bottle of Rutherford Rhiannon, a very nice blend. I dug into a delicious plate of Broiled Tenderloin Steak with Roasted Garlic, Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions with a side of Fettuccini Alfredo.

"My goodness, dollface. What a meal you cooked up!"

I can't take all the credit. The Fettuccini is leftover from the meal the hotel crew made us. But I'll take credit for everything else."

"It's wonderful!...Delicious!"

"Thanks, handsome. I'm a fool for compliments."

"And I'll be ever glad to give them to you...Amy, there's something I want to ask you. I'm not sure how to go about this and I'm afraid it may be too difficult a subject, but I'll broach it anyway. If you want me to stop, I will understand."

"Davy, I'm not afraid. What is it?"

"It's about children. You've never had any and I was thinking about how wonderful if we could raise a child together..."

"Davy, you are so wonderful...I know, I've been thinking about that, too. You know, I always wanted to have a child and I tried a couple of times with Roy, who was not so happy about the idea. Unfortunately, I had two miscarriages and then Roy passed on. So I understood that, most likely, I would never have a child and I moved on. Still, every now and then, especially when I am around loving families like Emma, Jack and their kids, I have a sense of emptiness. But, you're talking about adoption, right? Your fixed, you can't have any more."

"Actually, there is a way. You see, I was against having a vasectomy, I didn't want it. But my wife was into Zero Population Growth at that time and it was a less dangerous operation than tying her tubes...I kind of liked the thought of riding bareback again...also, my friend, Barry, had one and he was advocating it strongly. So I conceded and decided to have one. But, secretly, I ventured into New York City and I visited a Sperm Bank where I deposited, which is a polite way of saying that I jerked off into a cup, several straws of my semen. I kept the certificate all these years and I called the Sperm Bank last week. They've changed hands several times since but they emailed me to tell me that they still have the straws and most likely, they are still potent. So, if you want my child, we can visit a gynecologist when we're in the Northeast and we can see what happens."

Amy's tears were rolling down her cheeks. She couldn't hardly speak. "Oh, my love, that would be the most wonderful thing that could ever possibly happen to me. If I could give birth to your child, my life would be truly complete and fulfilled. I didn't think it was possible for you to make me any happier than I am but you have. I - I - can't express how much love I feel for you. I'm ready to fly to New York right now."

"Now, wait a minute, wild thing. We're about to go on tour and I want you there beside me. If it takes, I won't let you travel. Hell, I won't travel either. I'll be there to take care of you, I'll carry you to the bathroom if I have to!"

"Don't be silly. If it takes, we'll go to Lake Como for a couple of weeks. You'll take me to Paris. You'll take me to London. In my last trimester, we'll come home and let our baby grow inside me until he...he?...is ready to see us." She started to cry again and I got up and knelt down next to her and held her hands in mine. We were in our moment.

We cleared the table and had some cold lemon ices and wine for dessert. The moon had risen over the mountains and it seemed like a huge porcelain dish. The Man in The Moon was smiling at us like an old Betty Boop cartoon and we sat close and caressed each other.

That night, we made love as if for the first time. Like an old Bill Cosby joke, we made love everywhere...in the bedroom, in the living room, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, on the mantle, on the table, on the floor. We made love slowly and carefully, we made love madly and with abandon, we made love with love. When the morning came, we began where we left off. Finally, when we could hardly move any longer, we lay in each other's arms and made love with our minds.

We drove back down to our home to find that we had just missed Mark and Deb. They left us a beautiful note which among other things said that our wedding gifts had amassed nearly fifty thousand dollars to the Food Pantry Cause. What a blessing.

"Isn't it amazing, Davy, that whatever we seem to do turns out positive? We are truly blessed."

Our week moved easily. Jack and Emma and the kids returned with wonderful stories. Santo seemed to be more affectionate than ever and he really enjoyed the children. I got a call in the morning that E.T. would be showing their coverage of our wedding on Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon, we received a wonderful conference call from Massachusetts and Idaho. It was James Taylor and Carole King who had just appeared together at the fiftieth anniversary of The Troubador and were discussing putting a tour together. I put the call on speaker so everyone could listen in.

Carole: "First, we want to congratulate you on your wedding. I spoke to Shadow earlier and he said that the wedding was just fab-u-lous."

James: "Yes, congratulations. I'm sorry that we didn't know or we'd have stopped in. I heard it was a blast and a half. And Amy, if you don't already know, he may be a good man but you have your hands full now!"

Amy: "And I love it, James. Thank you both."

Carole: "So I was home in Idaho last week and talking to my friend, Billy, who works with Bobby and he gave me a copy of a CD you cut at Shangrila. I've played it about a hundred times since. It's great, Davy and it's even better to see you out again making music. I was kvelling."

James: "Yeah, and my wife, Kim, got an email from a friend telling her to check out some videos on that YouTube. You guys sound super, my friend, keep it coming."

Carole: "Shadow just sent me the tracks you cut last Saturday and I forwarded them to James. I love that song, "Domesticity"...you sound so happy. I'm so happy for you, Davy, you deserve some peace.

James: "And I got a kick out of that "Big Chocolate" song. What a smile! But enough of this lovefest, Davy, I want to talk business. Carole and I will be in the Northeast when the "Breadbasket" Tour rolls through. Can you get us on the Washington date? And will you sing a song with me?"

"I don't know, James. First it's only like big names and second, you think we can harmonize?"

James: "Uh-huh, I see. Well, fuck you too, buddy. Seriously, I was thinking we could sing "Night Owl", you know, from my first album. You had a lot to do with that song and I thought it might be kind of fun to do again after forty-five years, but who's counting?"

"I was hoping you'd say "Fire and Rain!"

James: "Hell, we can do that, too!"

Carole: "I want you to sing back up on "It Might As Well Rain Until September" like you did when I first cut it."

"Yeah, but didn't Ellie cut me out?"

Carole: "Yeah, but that was then, this is now!"

"The answer is an absolute yes! You guys can play on any stop of the tour that you want to. The Washington gig is being televised all day as a phone-in telethon so we could use the money you bring in. But even more important, I want to see you two together."

James: "Great. That's the answer I wanted to hear. I want to see you, old friend. I'll call Danny tomorrow and we'll hook it up. Oh, and Davy...I'm putting together a new album. If I may so bold, you wouldn't happen to have any of your throw away tunes for me, would you?"

"Yes, I just may have one for you I think you'll like. It's in your voice. It's called "Poor Man." I'll send you a demo."

Carole: "This will be fun. Meanwhile, you two just act like lovebirds and keep that music happening. It's so good to have your energy back in the world, Davy. I always loved that in you and when it wasn't around, a big part of me hurt. I love you for that and I'm signing off now. See you soon."

James: "Me too, Davy. I got a couple of little kids here that want their daddy to play with them. The best of everything to you and Amy. The best, man. See you soon"

Talk about good vibes! I was floored. Amy was floored. Emma and Jack were floored. Everyone wanted to know how we were connected. I told the story of when Shadow took me into Bell Sound and Carole was recording and somehow I ended up singing on that track. Later, Ellie Greenwich cut me out and replaced me with her own voice. I wasn't happy about it but it was par for the course with Ellie.

Then I told them about how I was down at the Night Owl one night and I heard James Taylor and The Flying Machine play. Kootch was in the band with James then. Anyway, James was in bad shape. He was all junked up and was fighting with his band. Me and Richie Havens grabbed him after the gig and gave him one hell of a berating. We saw that this guy had a load of talent and that he was throwing it away. Richie and I saw him through a difficult night and day. Meanwhile, I was trying to get Peter Asher to give me a listen and I had an audition with him at the old Village Gate in the afternoon. I took James with me and Peter ended up signing James. A month later, he took James to London and got James signed to Apple. James' record was the first release on The Beatles label. Later on, after things turned south for me, James would sometimes have me open for him on tour."

"I remember that, Dad. I remember when you played at Nassau Coliseum and brought James home for dinner. You two sang for hours. Mom was not happy."

"Really! I didn't know about the last part. Why wasn't she happy?"

"I think she thought that James was just prolonging your career and Mom wished you'd just sell booze instead and stop pretending to be a musician."

I wanted to say something but I held my tongue. Emma asked if I was going to say something and I thought for a moment and said, "Your mother never seemed to have my best interests at heart. She never gave me confidence nor inspiration. She was also never particularly astute...and because discretion is the better part of valor, that's about all I care to say."

Emma understood and we let the subject drop. Also, Amy and I were still high from the phone call and I didn't want to lose that feeling.

Wednesday evening, we gathered around the tube to watch E.T. They gave us nearly ten minutes of airtime. The scenes they showed at the Tavern and at the Wedding were thrilling to watch. We both looked pretty good, I thought, but Amy looked out of this world. Everybody looked good and you could sense the love and joie de vivre. Allen, George and Mark all did sweet interviews. There was a wonderful scene with Emma and Carla and the kids. Although I recorded it, I knew I would have to contact them to get a copy as well as the outtakes. Our phone started ringing right after the segment ended. Emma's phone rang and she walked out of the room to take it. I knew that it had to be her mother and I knew she had to be plenty pissed. I was smiling inside. I knew that I shouldn't care but fuck that, I was hoping she got indigestion from watching such happiness. Carla called while Emma was on her phone and asked to speak to her. Emma quickly hung up and made a face. It seemed obvious that she wanted to hang up. Her mood changed as soon as she took the phone when she and Carla began to scream over their appearance on the show, It reminded me of when they were growing up.

On Thursday, I got a call from Los Lobos' manager asking me how many names I needed on the house list. He asked that we arrive an hour before showtime, which was Friday night at 8:15. A few minutes later, Laura called and asked us to meet her for dinner at the Hotel. Emma was good with that since the refrigerator was still full of goodies.

We met Laura in the dining room as Stevie was just leaving. I told him to come by early so we could haul out to Denver. Stevie went back into the kitchen to tell the staff that we were in attendance and to take good care of us. Before he left, he said the chef would prepare a tasting for us.

I asked Laura how she liked Aspen and how she spent her days. She told us that shed seen a lot of Tim, the guy from the studio.

"I'm kind of crazy about this guy. He's very sweet. He showed me around town and he took me to some of his favorite places. A couple of nights ago, we had some mad crazy sex. His cock is so big (she made a gesture like a one-armed fisherman showing off the size of his catch and then another gesture like a soda can), I thought it would rip me apart but he was so caring and gentle. It was wonderful. In the morning, we slept until he had to go to work. He brought me flowers later. I could fall big time for this guy."

"This sounds good, Laura," Amy enthused. "Are you going to stay in contact with him?"

"You bet I am. He's talking about visiting me in New York when his vacation time comes around in a few weeks. He's also crazy about you, Davy. He said that he had so much fun working with you."

"Ask him if he wants to join us for the Los Lobos show. He can be my guitar tech, he's pretty good...and he can probably use some extra money if he's going to New York."

"Oh, Davy! That's an amazing offer! I can't wait to tell him. Can I call him now?"

Laura made the call in the lobby and returned with a big smile. "Turns out, he's off tomorrow and would love to work for you. Ooh, I'm schoolgirl giddy.!

Dinner was served. Oysters, four on the half shell, verjus and spring onion mignonette followed by an Asparagus Salad and then the main course, a selection of Salmon with roasted cherry tomatoes, Vidalia onion panzanella and olive vinaigrette; Chicken with roasted beets and goat cheese and toasted pistachios and Tuscan Style Prime Aged Beef New York Strip Loin with piquillo pepper and anchovy vinaigrette. Man, that was some meal even if I didn't know what half that shit was! We applauded the chef when we came out to see if we were enjoying ourselves. The Ramey Chardonney and the Paitin Barbaresco assured that we were.

After dinner we strolled around town for a while and stopped at the ice cream shoppe for cones before going back to the hotel for a nightcap. Amy asked Laura how her room was and Laura gushed over the hotel, the food, the service, the amenities, over everything. She asked us if we could stay a little longer.

"I have a reason. I want to go back up to the room and make love to both of you just one more time before this fairy tale ends. You two have been so wonderful. Graydon loves my article and wants me to add a Los Lobos postscript. I was worried that he would think my piece was just one big fan letter but, to be honest with you, I love you both and I couldn't be anything but honest in my article. You two are such good people and so rare - no subterfuge, no hidden agendas - you are exactly as you appear, honest and good. At first, I thought I might be writing about some old has-been geezer ex-rock star but instead I discovered that you are anything but that. You're a vital artist who is so well respected by his peers that they find inspiration in you. The more I got to know you, the deeper I felt about you, Davy. You could be really bitter about what you went through, instead you're stronger for it. And that's what my article is about; that through your innate art, you find love and you are willing to express it, share it and improve everyone around you. You are a true American hero. And that's what my article will say."

I was blushing and humbled by her words. I never saw myself that way. I always considered myself an unlucky hack who had his short day in the sun. Hero? Nah. I was just making it through the day and then one day, six numbers were pulled and I got lucky. Now, I was going to lionized in a major publication. Would this change everything, I wondered? Nah, I had Amy to keep me grounded.

As usual, Amy saved me. "Thank you, Laura. Those are powerful words. I'm glad that you see in him what I know to be true. He's just a man but a very good, loving, soulful man whose time has returned. Now let's go upstairs. You're very tasty!"

On the way up in the elevator, Amy pushed Laura between us. Her ass slid against my hardness while Amy caressed her breast. We fondled each other down the hall and once inside the room, ripped out clothes off. We spent a couple of hours just going crazy on each other. Laura was hardly the shy, tentative girl that we knew on the bus. She kissed with true passion, desire and expressiveness. She lapped wildly at Amy's core as I fucked her bouncing hips and held her lovely round breasts. She swallowed my cum like a thousand dollar whore loving every drop. Amy and I shared her pussy as she thrashed and cried out. For our final act, she sandwiched herself between us so I could penetrate her tight, sweet ass while she and Amy tribbed their bodies together kissing madly. This was quality sex among people with a deep fondness and respect for each other. Our intention was to bring mutual pleasure and express our emotions toward each other and in that regard we succeeded. Our escapade ended when she received a call from Tim. We got dressed and tiptoed out mouthing that we would pick them up on the way out of town.

On the drive home, we talked about what excellent sex we'd just had with Laura and about how Laura would be Tim's best sex ever. We were very happy for her and we hoped that she would find the happiness we knew. You could not wish a friend more than that. We quietly slipped into the house and quickly made our way to bed. We kissed and held each other. We laughed over the fact that Laura's sweet scent still cling to both of us.

I spent the morning packing up "Big Chocolate." I filled it with food and lots of snacks for the kids. It was only a little more than one hundred miles to Denver and a direct route from Route 6, Route 40, Interstate 70 or whatever the fuck they called it. The show was at the Fillmore Auditorium, a rock palace. I wanted to get into the "Mile High City" early so I could take the kids around. Never having been there myself, it seemed like a good opportunity for me as well. I wanted to take the kids somewhere nice. I suggested the zoo but they weren't interested. I suggested the Children's Museum but that, too, didn't go over. I considered the Amusement Park but I didn't want to knock them out. Still, where else can a grandfather listen to the squeals of joy from his grandchildren. It was a good opportunity to spoil them. I figured that I could always put them in for a nap. And while I wanted to head out early, several minor things delayed our departure until after lunch.

Fortunately, I had the kids pick out some DVDs for the ride and I didn't tell them of my plan to stop at Lakeside Park. For one thing the weather was lousy and for another, the traffic into Denver was abysmal. Once in the bus, Amy set them up in the bedroom (with the bed tilted up) and let them watch the DVDs. The adults sat around, ate snacks and chatted. Tim sat next to me for a good part of the trip and we talked about music (what else?). The trip was fine from Aspen through the Hanging Tunnel, through Vail, Copper Mountain and Lake Dillon. Things got dicey around the Eisenhower Tunnel when traffic came to a halt for a while. Thank God I had music and good conversation. Things got worse going up the steep grades of Loveland Pass with a windy rain beating down shaking the bus. By the time we passed Lakeside Park, I knew that my plan for the kids was out the window. Fortunately, Tim had a few shortcuts to 287 and I felt better as I was passing the U.S. Mint and the Capitol Building. I knew I was almost there. When I got to Clarkson, I jumped out and asked where I could park. The management was very hospitable and allowed me to park behind the theater near the truck load-in bays. The kids were mighty thrilled to see a burger joint across from the theater and while they were over there, Stevie took me for a much needed "walk around the block."

We had a couple of hours to kill and the rain ruled out any kind of touring so we encamped in the bus. I took a nap with my kids on the bed. I fell asleep during "Indiana Jones and The Crystal Skull" which is something I heard that a lot of people did. Amy and Laura cooked up some food. Our guests seemed to take it all in stride, web surfing, watching TV and shmoozing.

At 6:30, there was a knock on the door. It was David Hidalgo, Cesar Rojas and Louis Perez. I was just waking and feeling a bit groggy. Amy entertained them while I got myself together. When I came out, they were all having good conversation. I saw Laura taking notes. David and I hugged and he introduced me to Cesar and Louis who I'd never met. We talked about the tracks they sent me and how much I loved them. Cesar recalled that, early in their career, they would play "Sally" to get the crowd going. When I pointed out that the original Sally was sitting right there, they totally flipped out.

There was an opening band for them, The Bridge, and they were scheduled to do forty-five minutes. It would take fifteen minutes to reset the stage for Los Lobos and they would go on at about nine-fifteen. David suggested that they bring me out to do "Sally" with them as an encore. Fortunately, I had my Tele with me. Since their road crew handled the sound check, there was little to do but hang out. We talked about the upcoming tour and the dates we'd share. I gave them some of the latest CDs and we relaxed until it was time to enter the hall.

They were very gracious and gave us great seats. They also gave us all kinds of merch and took special care with Angie and Andy. Louis let Andy sit on his drum throne and wail away. It was a full house of mostly an older crowd which I liked figuring that they would know my name and who I was.

The show started and The Bridge were a very, very good band but to be honest, I spent much of their set in the dressing room with Los Lobos, harmonizing and swapping stories. I changed into my concert outfit. When Los Lobos was called, I went to my seat to enjoy the show. And I really did. Los Lobos is a superb band. Their musicianship is absolutely nonpariel. They played all the songs I love, from "Will The Wolf Survive" up through "The Town And The City." They played "I Want To Be Like You" and "Heigh-Ho" and dedicated it to the Angie and Andy, who were thrilled. Three cameramen roamed around the stage catching the action. There were many standing ovations during their set especially after their version of The Dead's "Bertha" and Cream's "Politician." Their road manager approached me during "Viking" and told me it was time. Tim and I headed backstage. Tim immediately took out my Tele and my Martin and started tuning them up. He handed me the Tele and I watched from the wings.

Cesar approached the mic and told a story about when how when they were first starting out, they used to play songs that would make the bar patrons crazy. "Tonight, we have a very special treat for you. Not only do we have the writer of one of our favorite bar songs here to join us but the lady that he wrote that song about is here, too! Ladies and Gentleman, a great artist, Davy Harper!" The band started a very hot "Sally" as I walked out. I instantly started to riff on the intro with them and David smiled as he stepped up to his mic. The crowd was roaring.

"Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby, Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride with me."

I pointed at Sally who was howling. Everybody in the house was up and dancing. David pointed to me and then to his mic. I took the lead vocal.

"Sally like to rock around the town in her hemi, Sally like to roll around the ground with me, Sally like the rhythm of a smooth carburetor, Sally like the buzzzzz of her Super Bee.

Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby, Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride with me.

Slide in, Sally Baby, Slide In, Sally Girl, Slide in, Sally Baby, And I'll take you for a whirl, Slide in, Sally Baby, Slide In, Sally Girl, Slide in, Sally Baby, And I'll take you round the world."

We were kicking some major ass. This song had never sounded this good. Steve Berlin took the first solo on his Tenor Sax and upped the ante. David took the next solo on his Les Paul. Cesar came in and they began to duel. I stepped up and the three of us threw leads around the stage. The fever was boiling as we moved closer and closer to each other building and building with each riff. Berlin came in on top of us and led us into the verse which we all sang together. I looked out to see everybody whooping and dancing. Angie and Andy were bouncing around and Sally was way off the hook.

"Strap in, Sally Baby, Strap In, Sally Girl, Strap in, Sally Baby, you got a cute spit curl, Strap in, Sally Baby, Strap in, Sally Girl, Strap it on, Sally Baby, and say hello to Mister Earl.

Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby, Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride with me, Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby, Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride with me, (Cesar: A Capella now!) Lean to the left, Lean to the right, Lean a little closer, feel the plugs ignite, Lean to the left, Lean to the right, Come on, Sally, let's drive all night! (Cesar: Now you sing!) Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby, Baby Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride on me. Sally Take A Ride, Take a Ride, Sally Baby Sally Take A Ride, Take A Ride on me. (Cesar: A Capella now!) Ride, Sally, Ride"

The house exploded. A huge roar like a wave enveloped the stage. Los Lobos and I waved to the crowd and walked off. They were effusive in their praise. Cesar laughed that the song always works every time. The audience was stomping and chanting. As the band started to return to the stage, David grabbed my arm and pulled me out with them. Tim handed my Martin to Louis.

David quieted the crowd and said, "Cesar was right, wasn't he?...But listen...listen folks, there's a tour starting in a few weeks that's going to have the biggest stars and the biggest bands and the best music you ever heard and all for a good cause. I'll let Davy tell you about it." He waved me over to the mic.

"Thank you, David and thank you Los Lobos. That was the best damn version of "Sally Take A Ride" I've ever heard. Thank you, you guys a fucking awesome! You liked that, too, didn't you, Sally?" She whooped! "Now before I tell you about this tour, I want to tell you all that last weekend I got married and my bride is right there. I love you, Amy!" The crowd roared it's approval and Amy waved to me. Someone in the audience yelled out, "We love you, Davy!" and I laughed. "So a whole bunch of artists are going to be criss-crossing this country all summer long raising money to fill our Food Pantries wherever we need to help our own who are having tougher times than we are these days. Los Lobos will be there...Mark O'Flannery, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Yo-Yo Ma, The National, Lady GaGa, Allen Toussaint, The Black Keys, James Taylor and Carole King and me and I could go on and on with all the great artists joining the tour, honestly folks, there's not an artist nor a band who will not be appearing. So be on the lookout for a full-page ad and buy tickets and help us do the right thing for our own people right here in the U.S....It's called "The Breadbasket Tour" and it's an event you will never forget. Thanks guys for letting me make the pitch!" I turned to walk off when Louis handed me my guitar and said, "Sing the song, Davy!" I waved him off but now David and Cesar were enticing the crowd and the audience started to applaud. I looked at them ruefully.

"So here's a song I wrote called "Breadbasket." Cesar and David picked up their acoustics.

"Every evening around six o'clock, we gather 'round the table, Mom and Dad and Grampa, me and my sister, Mabel, We fold our hands and thank the Lord, For the meal we're about to share, And vow to do what's right and do all that we are able."

"It's up to us, the those-who-have To fill the pantry shelves With cans of food and healthy stuff, It's how we help ourselves.

So pass the beans, pass them collared greens, Pass the chicken and dumplings, And please, please, please, before I blow a gasket, Pass the juice, pass the butter, And pass me that old bread basket."

David nodded to me and I held the last note and the audience applauded. He said, "Now, here's the way we do it. We call it "Canasta de Pan." They started to play their version. I stepped back to watch.

"Odas las noches alrededor de las seis, reunimos 'redonda la mesa, La Mamá y el Padre y el Abuelito, mí y mi hermana, Mabel, Nosotros doblamos las manos y damos gracias al Señor, Para la comida nosotros estamos a punto de digerir, Y para prometer hacer lo que tiene razón y hace todo que podemos.

Hay muchas gente allí que está como Madre Vieja Hubbard, Ellos tienen no los medios ni medios para vender la alacena de cocina, Sus trabajos son idos, ellos no tienen dinero efectivo, El ain de cupones de alimentos' T suficiente, Es difícil de alimentar una familia con sólo pan y mostaza.

Está hasta nosotros, el ésos que tienen que llenar La despensa arrincona Con latas de alimento y material sano, Es cómo nosotros nos ayudamos.

Tan pase los frijoles y agarró verde, Pasa las pelotas de pollo, Y por favor, por favor, por favor, antes que sople una junta de culata, Pase el jugo, pase la mantequilla, Y me pase la canasta de pan."

Wow, it was even better live. I stood there applauding. The audience roared as we waved and walked off the stage. The show was over and it was just terrific. We hugged and laughed, back-slapped and fist-punched. I thanked them profusely but they insisted on thanking me. Tim took my guitar and started packing us up. The backstage filled with people. I was attacked by Angie and Andy hugging me and yelling, "Grampa, Grampa!" We were being applauded and shaking a lot of hands. I grabbed Amy and hugged her close. "Was that okay?" I asked. She made a face like Munch's "The Scream" and I got the message. Sally was still dancing around. She kissed me and said that was the coolest thing she'd ever seen. Somehow, we eventually made our way out the back where a mob was waiting. I signed a lot of autographs until Angie pulled me away, saying, "Come on, Grampa, take me home!"

Jack insisted on taking the keys and far be it from me to argue. I flopped down on a recliner and popped a cold Beck's (please don't tell Buffett!) while Amy and Emma put the kids to bed. As Jack inched his way onto 287W, Stevie, Sally, Laura and Tim began to talk about the excellence of the show. I was feeling my post-show lethargy and just listened. Sally kept gushing over her song and I completely understood her emotional state. We killed on that number. Both Tim and Stevie kept saying that it was a great show but the encore took it up ten notches. I disagreed, I thought that Los Lobos was just superb and I pointed out that the encores were great show biz - "Leave 'em happy!" While we slowly made our way out of Denver, Amy and Emma joined us as the kids were happily snug and sleeping. Amy settled into my lap and kissed me saying how much fun the show had been. Emma commented that we'd probably see it on YouTube tomorrow and could download a torrent of the show on the day after, both of which I was curious to see and hear. We stopped to fuel up and were told that the road was clean and green to Aspen. As we pulled out, Emma checked on the kids and announced that they were down for the count. She closed the door to the bedroom and Stevie lit a joint which I happily absorbed. I told Tim that although I didn't want to steal him from Jamie, I could sure use a tech on the tour, especially in New York and Washington. He looked at Laura and promised that he would get back to me after he discussed it with Jamie.

Eventually, it got quiet in the bus. It occurred to me that this part was over and a new phase was beginning. Emma, Jack, the kids and Laura would be flying back to New York on Sunday morning. The tour would be starting up in three weeks. Amy and I would find our happy groove and plan on seeding our baby. I had a studio to build and a new record to make as well as working on the old stuff with Shadow. I had a full plate.

I'd left New York like a rolling stone, no direction home. I figured that I'd travel for a month but it turned into a lifestyle. When I left, I was just a sad and lost guy albeit a very lucky one with a lot of cash. Life is funny that way, you really never know what's around the bend. You just have to be open to the changes and roll with them. I'd found my voice again and was back doing what I was born to do and it felt very good. I've seen the wonders of the world and been humbled. I'd found old friends and made lots of new ones. I had sex in every combination and with many variations and had enjoyed all of it. But best of all, I'd also made love - real true love, the very best kind. I'd found a fine woman and had fallen madly for her - and she with me. We were on the threshold of great things.

When I first pulled away from East Hampton, I'd sung "Davy's On The Road Again." I thought of how true the last verse pertained to that person I was way back then.

"Shut the door, Cut the light, Davy won't be home tonight, You can wait till the dawn rolls in, You won't see our Davy again."

Now, that Davy was gone forever. Rest in Peace. A new Davy, a renewed Davy was here now. I was never going back ever again. Only forward.

Thanks for your nice comments and encouragement to keep the story going. Please vote on how you like it. Any names and persons used in this story are purely coincidental, fictional, nonexistent and utterly intentional. Send your comments to oldhippie1949@gmail.com. Thank you. All lyrics copywritten and used as a tribute: "Good Morning, Good Morning", Lennon and McCartney., "Strawberry Fields Forever", Lennon and McCartney., "Wanderin'", Traditional., "Colorado", Rick Roberts., "Love and Luck", Jimmy Buffett., "Our House", Graham Nash., "All I Know", Jimmy Webb., "Forever Young", Bob Dylan., "Music Is Love", David Crosby, Graham Nash abd Neil Young., "Volcano", Jimmy Buffett, Keith Sykes, and Harry Dailey., "To Make You Feel My Love", Bob Dylan., "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", Al Kooper. copyright2017 The Ol' Hippie